Glossary of Terms

Japanese words are easy to pronounce since sounds occur in syllables. In most cases, each syllable gets equal emphasis.

Consonants are pronounced as in English. The five vowel sounds are pronounced as in Spanish or Italian:

A - (ah)

E - (eh)

I - (ee)

O - (oh)

U - (oo)

Example: Hiroshima = hee-roh-shee-mah

Japanese Terms:

Issei (ee-say) – first-generation Japanese immigrants to the U.S. (Having been born during the late 1800s through the early 1900s, their numbers are now negligible.)

Nisei (nee-say) – second generation, U.S.-born children of the Issei. (In 2000, most fell between ages 70-90.)

Sansei (sahn-say) – third generation Japanese Ameri-cans. (In 2000, most were between ages 40-60)

Yonsei (yohn-say) – fourth-generation Japanese Americans. (In 2000, most were between ages 20-30) students)

Gosei (go-say) – fifth-generation Japanese Americans. (In 2000, most were school-age children)

Nikkei (nee-kay) – Anyone of Japanese ancestry residing outside of Japan. Is sometimes interchangeable with Japanese American.

Kibei (kee-bay) – Nisei who went to Japan during their formative years and were raised and educated like Japanese children before returning to the United States.

Anti-miscegenation law – a law prohibiting marriage or cohabitation between a man and a woman of different races.

Assembly centers – a euphemism for guarded temporary detention centers where Japanese Americans were held until the mass permanent camps could be established.

Concentration camp – guarded compound for the imprisonment or detention of aliens, or of groups for political reasons.

Discrimination – treatment or consideration of a person or group based on pre-judgment and not merit. Compare this with "prejudice."

Executive Order 9066 – an order issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, which gave delegated authorities the power to exclude persons from designated areas, which ultimately resulted in the removal of all persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast.

Internment camp – a euphemism for a guarded compound for the confinement of aliens or groups for political reasons. Used instead of "American concentration camp" or "detention camp," terms preferred over "relocation center." See the “Power of Words” for more.

Oriental – a term once used to designate Asians and Asian Americans. The term carries a history that stereotypes and marginalizes Asian Americans. No longer preferred, except for objects such as rugs and art.

Prejudice – an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without reason, knowledge, or thought. Compare this with "discrimination."

Redress – compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or an injury. A term used to describe the remedies sought by Japanese Americans for their wrongful treatment during World War II.