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).
With 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?
Well, 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 :)
ah 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.
“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 )
Unless the migratory adults (with children in tow) attempt to emigrate to Australia. Where they are called refugees and get locked up.
;)