Usage Note: Migrate, which is used of people and animals, sometimes implies a lack of permanent settlement, especially as a result of seasonal or periodic movement. Emigrate and immigrate are used only of people and imply a permanent move, generally across a political boundary. Emigrate describes the move relative to the point of departure: After the Nazis came to power in Germany, many scientists emigrated (that is, left Germany). By contrast, immigrate describes the move relative to the destination: The promise of prosperity in the United States encouraged many people to immigrate (that is, move to the United States).
ken says
Friday August 22nd, 2003 at 07:20 PMWith people, does migrate imply many as opposed to one? You might say “they migrated to Australia” but “he immigrated to Australia”? Or for a single person can migrate and immigrate be used interchangeably?
Sim' says
Tuesday July 8th, 2003 at 03:16 PMWell, that’s fair enough – we do agree on the definition of emigrate, and you are quite correct in that my suggested use of the term was in relation to where we are.
Which poses the question – what is the accepted usage for relativity ? Should we the speakers be using the term based on where we are, or should we be using the term based on where the subjects of our discussion are ?
mmm… maybe I should check with my family on this – they may not be migrants, but they are all teachers :)
paulzag says
Tuesday July 8th, 2003 at 12:06 AMah but you are making an Australia-centric assumption. “Attempt to emigrate to Australia” is correct if you are not standing in Australia when you say it — as most of those poor sods are (aren’t?) it’s late and I’m confused. Do we agree that you emigrate out of somewhere.
As a 4th generation professional migrant I know. i.e. I need to go back 5 generations to find someone who stayed in their country of birth. I’ve lived O/S but I was born here and will probably stay.
Sim' says
Wednesday July 2nd, 2003 at 02:34 PM“attempt to immigrate to Australia” … remember, you emigrate from and you immigrate to ! (which was the whole point of me looking it up and posting it :P )
Paulzag says
Wednesday July 2nd, 2003 at 11:27 AMUnless the migratory adults (with children in tow) attempt to emigrate to Australia. Where they are called refugees and get locked up.
;)