Discussion What is the deal with using family members as a diss in chinese novels?

Forgive my ignorance but like what the title says,

What is the deal with using family members as a diss in chinese novels?

If you've read chinese novels you've probably run across it.
"I, your father has come to... "
".... me, your Grandfather"
".... I, your ancestor am..."

Things in that nature... so what's up with that?
Is there a reason for it? What is the origin of this?

If this was already answered, then I am sorry.

This is my first thread so please be gentle.

 

and the first comment on your first thread will be "oh what a cute sleeping panda"

 

family is the most important thing in china. its a taboo to touch someones family and such

 

The reason is to offend people of course~ If someone says I, your father....etc to you, they’re referring to themselves as your father. Now how would that make you feel?

 

I mean don't the rest of the world use them too?

 

It's somewhat of a pun, to assert authority.

 

well if this was western it would go something like this desu~

"I your second cousin from you mother's sister's side, twice removed, am here to...."

 

Because in China, the family members of the higher generation are the respected figure inside of that said family.
So if you say that you are someone's ancestor, you are saying that you are in the higher generation than him, thus humiliated that person.

 

I see... it's a cultural thing then?

I would think they were crazy...
why? What would you think?

Uhm....? o.o

I see... that makes sense..

 

Well, I did not see it used in European countries but I assume this is based on how the Chinese value their ancestors. It is like without the father, that person would not exist and the father is the one that guides, protects and has authority over their existence.

So, when a person "I, your father will punish you"... it is to show overwhelming authority, superiority over them. It is like they are in a different realm, different generations. It is also adds a personal touch, as it is saying "your father", it is basically saying a direct connection over them... well, it can mean more but that's the gist of it.

 

Seniority & Authority.

 

I think it's pretty close to come call me daddy.

 

Thank you... now I get that they say this to make themselves be in an Authoritative position but why the hell does it go in a progressive order sometimes?
Like the lines I've cited get said by the same person one after the other...

Is it just for comedic foil?

 

Urh not family. More like the more aged you are the more respect you get. Since you obvioulsly can t age in moment you claim titles like father grandpa ancestor to claim respect due to age. In the same manner being called grandson can be insult since you claim they are young title and so don t deserve respect.

 

I think it's sth. like this:
If I'm your father, that means that I banged your mother, can beat you up if I want to AND demand you to respect me.
Since filial piety is quite the big thing over there it's quite the insult.

Now, since that are your fathers rights, it means that your grandfather has the same rights to your father and -by proxy- you as well

 

This seems dirty to me...

 

The people of the subcontinent(India, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, etc) value their families a lot. Cursing a family member (especially father, mother, sister) is deemed more insulting than cursing the person himself. Insulting a family member means tainting the name/reputation of the whole bloodline.
Even today, these cause riots, murders, etc in Orthodox regions

 

I was not asking about insulting family members, I was asking about using the position of Father(etc) as a diss to someone..
But thank you for your answer.

 

It's actually an abuse in the local dialect.
Translation makes it look comical maybe.
Say, M*****fcker is sometimes used casually by many( many don't take it's definition seriously). The same word translated in My native language(as it'll be more enraging) would reward you a nice beating( It also depends on the culture). Native words have pack more of a power than there counterparts in diff. Language.

 

Oh, I see... it must have not translated well...
I understand... we have something akin to what you mean in our language too