Yes, they do. I never said otherwise. I asked why they think it’s better than “Taiwanese American” or “Chinese American”.
Nope. Not correct them on “who they are”. I never said I’d correct them at all. I said I’d “venture” (synonym = speculate; a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation) they aren’t ABC (as I understand the term).
They’re free to believe they’re Hungarian for all the difference it’ll make. far be it from me, or you, to “correct” them of any such belief. doesn’t make it any more true, though.
Ask anyone in Taiwan what ABC means and they’ll give you similar answers, because tons of their friends emigrated to America and brought/had kids.
Ask any Asian American and they’ll give you the same answer, too-- not because they learned its definition from the people “back home,” but because this term was useful for them as Americans.
Just because the significance of a term is limited to a certain population (ie. “most of the whiteys don’t give a shit”) doesn’t mean it’s not an “official” or “valid” word. And yes, the term “ABC” (etc.) does exist in the English language (disregarding the fact that it is obviously an acronym of English words…). My friends and I have used it many times, no doubt teaching it to others who hadn’t heard it before, and we were all speaking English.[/quote]
What I don’t understand is why do you (the general “you”) feel it is better than Taiwanese American or Chinese American?
Other Asian Americans use terms like Japanese American (not ABJ), Korean American (not ABK) or Thai American (not ABT). Taiwanese American, for example sums it up perfectly. American (national/citizen of Taiwanese descent), whereas ABT means a person born in America who is Taiwanese (i.e. a Taiwanese citizen), which is more often than not incorrect as they’re always posting on the flob about how to get a passport, citizenship and avoid military service if they do etc…
Please don’t misunderstand. I have no problem with either term, it just seems to me that ABC/ABT is fundamentally incorrect as it assumes the person wasn’t only born in America (and therefore an American citizen), but is also a Chinese or Taiwanese citizen. If you’re not a Taiwanese citizen, you’re not Taiwanese. Period. So you can’t be an American Born Taiwanese, only a Taiwanese American, i.e. an American of Taiwanese descent…
I do understand what you guys mean by usage etc, but usage doesn’t make it correct.
That said, nothing we say here will affect the way ABT/ABC is used in the US or in Taiwan, but I’, simply giving my opinion on the matter, as are you. Either way, no hassle, I’m just trying to understand the reasons for the use of the term(s).
Personally, if someone ever tells me they’re ABC, I’ll ask them, “So you’re a PRC citizen?” If they answer in the negative I’ll venture they aren’t an ABC then, 'cos they aren’t Chinese. They’re American of Chinese descent, Chinese American. Just like I’m of British (Scots and English) descent, but I’m not British, so I can’t call myself a [color=#FF0000]ABB (African born Brit)[/color], but I could call myself an English South African (although I prefer to just say I’m South African, which is the truth of the matter, just like no matter what creed or color you are, if you’re American, that’s all you are unless you hold dual citizenship). 
But to each his own. I’d never call an “African” American a n*****, but if they choose to call themselves that, that’s their own business.
Edit: See highlighted text above.
Thandi Newton is one of the few that could call herself an ABB (African born Brit). She’s British and she was born in Africa. Just like Charlize Theron could call herself an ABA,(African Born American) because she’s an American citizen born in Africa. She’s also one of the very select few (like Obama) who are truly AFRICAN Americans as opposed to Americans whose ancestors came FROM Africa several generations ago (some as long ago as 300 or 350 years ago and ceased to speak anything even closely resembling an African language centuries ago, whereas Charlize can speak at least one African language fluently).[/quote]
No problem, bismarck. I actually never imagined that ABC and its cousins would be so contested here. [/quote]
It’s the flob, mate. we contest everything and everyone here. 
I understand and respect that, just as I describe myself as an English South African (when differentiating myself from the Afrikaner Saffas). But I wouldn’t describe myself as a SABE (South African Born Englishman, as I’m a South African by citizenship and birth, and an Englishman by ancestry and nothing else - although I’m eligible for British citizenship through my father).
As with my example above, I’m just seeing ABC/ABT as showing Taiwanese or Chinese citizenship, although having been born in America (which as you know is almost never the case), which is why I’m interested in knowing about the other reasons that youngsters feel set them apart from other Taiwanese/Chinese Americans in order to call themselves ABC/ABT. Things like “personal identity implications” etc. I’d really like to know more about and understand those reasons more.
Seems like a fair assumption.
For my part, it’s not confusion, it’s just the way it’s structured. i.e. I’m Taiwanese, or identifying yourself as Taiwanese, refers to nationality, not ethnicity, whereas Taiwanese American, refers to Taiwanese by ethnicity, not nationality. See the next quote…
Following from the above…
Which brings me back to why this is the case? And relates to the factors you mentioned, such as “personal identity implications” etc… Again, I’d like to know more about and understand that more…
If you have the time and/or inclination I would really be interested to read your thoughts on that.
So you’re not a Taiwanese citizen, right? Perhaps it has to do with the identity implications etc you alluded to above, but I’d like to hear why you say that. Ethnically I can understand without any further info, but calling yourself Taiwanese (and not American, when you are an American citizen, but not a Taiwanese citizen, although definitely Taiwanese ethnically and by ancestry) seems odd, as I define being called Taiwanese as being a Taiwanese citizen with household registration and an ID Card. As opposed to being ethnically Taiwanese (Taiwanese American/Canadian/Australian/South African etc), but of a nationality other than Taiwanese.
Thanks for your response, btw. 
And, as I realise some things (tones, feelings and/or intentions) can be misconstrued on the web, I’m not being sarcastic or anything. I am really interested in reading more about this:
Cheers, mate.
First of all, as I’ve stated before, no one (at least not me, seeing as you keep quoting me, even though my posts aren’t directed at you, seeing as you aren’t ABC/CBC/BBC or even Taiwanese/Chinese American/Canadian/Brit) is saying they can’t use the term.