Jak používat pojem INDIÁN a jak jej psát?

Abstract

The paper defends the opinion that the term “Indián” should be written with a capital initial letter in the Czech language, despite the latest edition of the Czech Spelling Rules, which classify this term among anthropological names like “běloch” (white person) or “černoch” (black person) etc., which use a lowercase initial letter in Czech. The author criticizes this classification, as well as the incorrect reasoning behind it, arguing that “Indian” is a demonym designating the first inhabitants of the con tinent. Although the term originated from a historical error — confusing America with India — it has been widely recognized and used in the Czech lands. The paper suggests that the romanticizing term “Indian” should be reserved only for popular scientific discourse aimed at the general public. However, in academic contexts, the term Indians should be replaced by the term “Původní obyvatel/é Ameriky” (Native peoples of America).

Keywords

• indiáni
• původní obyvatelé ameriky
• národ
• kmen
• kmenové národy
• běloch
• černoch
• rudoch