0
Raen Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Dark
Hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, or as they say here in the States "politically incorrect". When describing a person's appearance, is "dar" used to indicate race? Here's a sentence from novel written by a British writer:
"....., a striking-looking dark woman cam in a corner of the hotel lounge...."
Normally I would take it to mean that she is of "dark" complexion had her twin brother not been invariably described as "dark" at different places in the book. Maybe I should mention that these desriptions are given from the view point of the main character?
Thanks a lot
Raen
"....., a striking-looking dark woman cam in a corner of the hotel lounge...."
Normally I would take it to mean that she is of "dark" complexion had her twin brother not been invariably described as "dark" at different places in the book. Maybe I should mention that these desriptions are given from the view point of the main character?
Thanks a lot
Raen
Top answer
No, not usually. Is this a very old book? Otherwise the writer is just using a it of 'poetic license' but it's certainly not a normal way to describe colour in the UK.
- No, not usually.
- Is this a very old book?
- Otherwise the writer is just using a it of 'poetic license' but it's certainly not a normal way to describe colour in the UK.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
No, not usually. Is this a very old book? Otherwise the writer is just using a it of 'poetic license' but it's certainly not a normal way to describe colour in the UK.
00
Hi,
I don't think I've ever heard a black person described as 'dark' (other than in the archaic and today very unacceptable term 'darkie').
Instead, 'dark' is a normal way of referring to a non-black person's hair or complexion.
eg His sister is blonde, but he is dark.
Best wishes, Clive
I don't think I've ever heard a black person described as 'dark' (other than in the archaic and today very unacceptable term 'darkie').
Instead, 'dark' is a normal way of referring to a non-black person's hair or complexion.
eg His sister is blonde, but he is dark.
Best wishes, Clive
00
Thank you very much for verifying. Sometimes when "dark" being repeated to describe a person as it is in the book, I wonder if the race is being suggested.
No, it's not an old book. Author was born in 1930s. Does that matter? Would it have meant race in "older" books? Could you give a few examples of sentences where "dark" can indicate race, if ever. I seem to vaguely remember it does, or
No, it's not an old book. Author was born in 1930s. Does that matter? Would it have meant race in "older" books? Could you give a few examples of sentences where "dark" can indicate race, if ever. I seem to vaguely remember it does, or
00
Thank you Clive, we must have been writing and posting at the same time. Thanks alot. So it is again the Chinese translation. In some books, fictions especially, "dark" is used as one would "black" as in the colour of the skin.
Raen
Raen
0
Related Questions