CNN News Article, "Iran's term for Israel"

Question

"TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) -- Iran's president said on Friday that the existence of the "Zionist regime", Iran's term for Israel, was a threat to the Islamic world, days after declaring Iran had become a nuclear power by enriching uranium."

What does, "Iran's term for Israel" mean in the above sentence?

The full article can be found at http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/04/14/iran.israel.reut/index.html

Diamondrg · Accepted Answer

Wwwdotcom"TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) -- Iran's president said on Friday that the existence of the "Zionist regime", Iran's term for Israel, was a threat to the Islamic world, days after declaring Iran had become a nuclear power by enriching uranium."

What does, "Iran's term for Israel" mean in the above sentence?

The full article can be found at http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/04/14/iran.israel.reut/index.html

It means "Iran calls Israel "Zionist regime."

Anonymous · Answer

Diamondrg,

Ok, if I get you right, you are saying "term" reflects the following definition from http://www.m-w.com

"4 a : a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject <legal terms> b plural : expression of a specified kind <described in glowing terms>"

I usually think of "term" as only being one word in this context. I don't really consider "Zionist regime" as being an expression.

To me, an expression is more like, "all ears"

I don't question your reading of it, but don't you think "Zionist regime" is more of a labeling than it is an expression? If I were Israeli reading this, it would be very upsetting to hear someone say a "term" for my country has been established. It's like using the N word for black people, calling me a ***** just because I have a German last name, etc...

However, if you LABEL me a ***** or call me stupid, then that is your opinion. This sides on another part of the same definition of the word "term":

"has a precise meaning"

Zionist regimes are not precise, so I wouldn't have used "term" in the article. I would have used another word like "label".

Wwwdotcom · Answer

Diamondrg,

Ok, if I get you right, you are saying "term" reflects the following definition from http://www.m-w.com

"4 a : a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject <legal terms> b plural : expression of a specified kind <described in glowing terms>"

I usually think of "term" as only being one word in this context. I don't really consider "Zionist regime" as being an expression.

To me, an expression is more like, "all ears".

I don't question your reading of it, but don't you think "Zionist regime" is more of a labeling than it is an expression? If I were Israeli reading this, it would be very upsetting to hear someone say a "term" for my country has been established. It's like using the N word for black people, calling me a n-a-z-i-s just because I have a German last name, etc...

However, if you LABEL me a n-a-z-i-s or call me stupid, then that is your opinion. This sides on another part of the same definition of the word "term":

"has a precise meaning"

"Zionist regimes" is not precise, so I wouldn't have used "term" in the article. I would have used another word like "label".

Diamondrg · Answer

hi, wwwdotcom

well, I think "Zionist regime" is an expression in the light of the explanation given below as it is a group of words which is used to call Israel by Iran.

I don't have any idea whether "Zionist regime" can be considered to be a term or not, but I think it is an "expression" used by Iran. To me, "term" seems to be a neutral word compared to "label". "Label" expresses bias. Am I wrong?

term (DESCRIPTION)
noun [C]
a word or expression used in relation to a particular subject, often to describe something official or technical:
'Without let or hindrance' is a legal term which means 'freely'.
a term of endearment (= a kind or friendly name to call someone)
a term of abuse (= an unkind or unpleasant name to call someone)

expression (WORDS)
noun [C]
a word or group of words used in a particular situation or by particular people:
He uses a lot of unusual expressions.
'A can of worms' is an expression which means 'a difficult situation'.
See also expression at express (SHOW).

label (SIGN) Show phonetics
noun [C]
2 a word or a phrase which is used to describe the characteristics or qualities of people, activities or things, often in a way that is unfair:
He seems to be stuck with the label of 'troublemaker'.

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

Wwwdotcom · Answer

Diamondrg,

"To me, "term" seems to be a neutral word compared to "label". "Label" expresses bias. Am I wrong?"

If you sign a contract, you are agreeing to the "terms and conditions". It's a more final stage of labeling. Labeling can either be biased or neutral, but often times if it is accepted then it becomes a term widely used. Otherwise, it shows a bias and in that case I agree.

So, to call Israelis a "Zionist regime", would not be neutral. This would be more like showing bias, as Israelis could be seen as doing to same with Iran.

Diamondrg · Answer

WwwdotcomSo, to call Israelis a "Zionist regime", would not be neutral. This would be more like showing bias, as Israelis could be seen as doing to same with Iran.

Can't you take it just a report of a fact, that is Iran's calling Israel "Zionist regime". If you use "label" while reporting, I think you can safely be said to think "Iran's calling "Israel" "Zionist regime" unfair. Are you a native wwwdotcom as your location suggests, just out of curiosity?

Pinenut · Answer

Wwwdotcom"TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) -- Iran's president said on Friday that the existence of the "Zionist regime", Iran's term for Israel, was a threat to the Islamic world, days after declaring Iran had become a nuclear power by enriching uranium."

What does, "Iran's term for Israel" mean in the above sentence?

The full article can be found at http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/04/14/iran.israel.reut/index.html

Iran's president said on Friday that the existence of the "Zionist regime", Iran's term for Israel (= the word or name Iran uses for Israel), was a threat to the Islamic world, days after declaring Iran had become a nuclear power by enriching uranium."

MrPedantic · Answer

It seems to me like a case of extreme caution on the agency's part.

First of all, they put "Zionist regime" in inverted commas; then they make sure that the reader doesn't think it's their term, by specifying that it's Iran's term; and then too, they use "term", which indicates neither approval nor condemnation.

So yes; reporting with very long tongs.

MrP

Kazem · Answer

hi,

it simply refers to how Israel is called in Iran, e.g:

REM sleep is termed "active sleep."

so the idea that " Zionist Regime" is an expression or a term is not the question.

MrPedantic · Answer

Hello Kazem

That's interesting – do you mean that Israel is officially referred to (in Iranian) as "the Zionist regime" in Iran?

MrP

CNN News Article, "Iran's term for Israel"

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