Literal translation irrelevant

ONE can only laugh at the notion that gweilo is not a disparaging term ('' 'Gweilo' is not derogatory'', South China Morning Post, April 7).

It is true that not every speaker employing the term intends it to be offensive. However, the mere use of the word indicates an internalisation and - more disturbingly - an acceptance of an offensive intent from not so many years ago.

The exact literal translation of the word, be it ''ghost'', ''devil'', or ''super'', is hardly relevant. Conveyance of respect is clearly not the intended message when a speaker calls someone a gweilo.

GLENN BERKEY Quarry Bay