Is having a tattoo in another language cultural appropriation or is it a cultural exchange?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I were talking about this the other night and I wanted to get some outside opinions on it.
I really want a tattoo in Arabic. It will roughly translate to their is no fate but what we make, it will be the actual Arabic phrase instead of me making it fit my English definition. I don't speak the language but my husband does. Neither of us are of middle eastern decent. I try really hard to be politically correct. Would me getting the tattoo cultural appropriation or more of a cultural exchange?

Yes it is cultural appropriation

No it is cultural exchange

[Steelcore1085]

The only people that would get offended by this would be the politically correct pieces of Liberal shit who try to find something offensive in literally EVERYTHING in the world. Did one of your Liberal friends get all pissed and offended when you told them about this?

If they did, then fuck what they think. I wouldn't want some sensitive bitch as my friend like that. If I knew someone who because offended by my tattoo and told me I was wrong for that, I'd tell them to go fuck themselves and leave me alone. If you want that tattoo, then get it, and don't let those pricks ruin it for you.

[Steelcore1085]

By the way, don't be politically correct. It makes life suck when you step on eggshells and try to not offend people. If someone finds offense by what you say or think, that's their problem, and not yours.

[BertMacklinFBI]

terminator huh. nice.

i think you should at least know how to spell it if you want to tattoo onto your body

[Asker]

He's double checked with native speakers and it is 100% correctly spelled

[Asker]

And of course. Sarah Conner is my hero

[Asker]

Connor*

[BertMacklinFBI]

it would be very impressive if you could speak that phrase as well. that way, if someone asks, you can say it in arabic, and then translate it in English

[Asker]

Well it would be easy enough since my husband does speak it to learn or at least memorize it

[Cmasterson]

I personally think it could be both.. however since you're not of arabic decent and are not going to an arabic tattoo artist most likely... there is no sense in "understanding each other" or bringing two people together as I looked up the definition to be 100% sure, a lot of people in regards of getting tattoos of another culture/language they don't know and have know inters in is appropriation.. many people make the mistake of getting symbols and words in another language and or means something else without connecting the meaning to the actual thing. But quotes... i am stumped.

[Asker]

Yeah I'm stumped too because it is an Arabic quote not an English quote translated to Arabic and I find the language beautiful and would like to learn it. However, it's not my native language and I don't currently speak it.

[lime_rampljuset]

None, neither cultural appropriation, nor cultural exchange.
Being politically correct sometimes is wrong.

[Steelcore1085]

Being politically correct is ALWAYS wrong and makes you look like an asshole to everyone else.

[lime_rampljuset]

@Steelcore1085 at least I said is wrong.

[Redshift]

I actually had to google "cultural appropriation". You people are crazy. My suggestion - write in binary. Worst case a group of T-800s will stage a protest.

[Asker]

While I do find that funny, the reason that I am concerned is that I do try very hard to be politically correct and to not steal from other cultures. However, it's an Arabic phrase, not an English phrase translated to Arabic but I don't personally speak the language. That's where it becomes muddled

[Redshift]

You can't steal a culture. That's insane! It is completely normal to like something foreign and incorporate it into your life. Culture is in essence information and information cannot be stolen. It can only be copied and modified. Who in their right mind will approach someone and ban him from using his language? I'd be a lot more worried what the tatoo artist will actually right. I have a friend who got drunk and had a chinese letters tattooed. It was supposed to say "Strength and Honor". It actually says "Drunk and Stupid".

[Redshift]

*write

[Asker]

That's funny but you can steal information that's why we have copyright and piracy laws. It's just on a bigger scale

[Redshift]

Those are proprietary. There is an exact person or company who holds the rights. When it comes to a culture it's freeware because no one can claim ownership. :P

[Spiorad_Aisce]

I saw a definition the other day of Cultural Appropriation and it something like (1) Taking something and using it in a demeaning or offensive way to another culture (2) Taking something that is normally used by another culture.
I think number (2) is ludicrous, if I wore a New York Yankees hat, am I offending New Yorkers.
Lets look at your situation in regard to (1), your tattoo would be praise or beautifying the Arabic culture so no problem there at all.

[Asker]

Well tattoos are frowned upon in most Arabic cultures...

[Spiorad_Aisce]

I did not know that but personally I would not view it as a problem.

[NedfromtheNed]

No such thing as cultural appropriation.

However, i dont think tattoos are a good idea. If you know Arabic, it sounds like a better idea. But even than...

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

"I try really hard to be politically correct"... there's your problem. see, you accidentally carried the fuck when there are, indeed, no fucks to give

[Anonymous]

it's neither

it's just life

cultural appropriation is a bullshit term invented so crybullies can whine about something

when someone says, "cultural appropriation" they're really saying, "look at me! I'm a goodthinking person!"

[SüßeJäger]

Who really cares? If you want one then get one. If someone doesn't like it, fuck em.

[Kylesar]

Fuck that PC bullshit.
If you want a tat in another language, go ahead

I bet SJWs couldn't even explain why it's cultural appropriation

[John_Doesnt]

I always think it's silly when people do that, but it's your choice.

[Asker]

Tattoos or wanting it in a language other than my own?

[John_Doesnt]

Wanting a tattoo in another language is always silly to me. It's like a fashion statement to me and not something that should be a permanent decision. Cause years from now you're not gonna care or you might even disagree with that current opinion.

[Asker]

It's been two years, I think I'm good 😊 But yeah that's something I always worry about which is why all my tattoos have been planned at least a year in advance

[lopflodin]

why would you even want to tattoo a language you dont speak onto yourself

[Asker]

Because I find it to have the most beautiful script

[JPSAM]

what was the translation you got? i am Lebanese and my native language is Arabic

[farscryer0]

The hell is "cultural appropriation?"

[Steelcore1085]

It's a Liberal buzzword they use to shame others for doing things they don't like.

[farscryer0]

@Steelcore1085 Sounds stupid and unnecessary.

[Steelcore1085]

It really is stupid.

[apple24]

I don'y think it matters!

[lonelyoldboy]

Lol @ "cultural appropriation" wtf

[Prince_teddy4u]

Depends upon people