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Gender Issues in Languages
The chapter “Language and Gender” that I have
read explains how language can be used to discriminate
against individuals and groups on the basis of their sex.
This chapter also provides some helpful information, which
certainly will help us teachers to recognise and avoid
discriminatory practices.
Using non-discriminatory language does not
involve the conscious learning of a new language in order to
communicate; this is due to the fact that people continually
learn new words, expressions and constructions. Language is
dynamic and reflects changes in society and contributes to
such changes. Using non-discriminatory language is, of
course, a part of this dynamic process.
Broadly speaking, in most cases, using
non-discriminatory language means avoiding certain
expressions and selecting others that already exist in the
language. Sometimes it may involve combining existing words
into a new compound word. Only in exceptional cases a
completely new word or expression has to be “created”.
Sexist language is language that favours one
sex and treats the other sex in a discriminatory manner. In
many cases it favours men and goes against women. In
language, men are considered the “rule” for the human
species, that is to say, their characteristics, thoughts,
beliefs and actions are seen as representing those of all
humans, male and female. This practice can make women
imperceptible in language or exclude them. The linguistic
status of women often depends on the status of men. Being
women in a dependent, subordinate position, sexist language
prevents women and men from being shown as equal human
beings.
Common forms of sexism in English include the
use of “man” and “he / him / his” as generics—that is to
say, nouns and pronouns referring to both men and women—the
use of suffixes -man, -ette, -ess, -trix in occupational
nouns and job titles, asymmetrical naming practices, and
stereotyped images of women and men as well as descriptions
of (mainly) women which denigrate them and their status. It
is recommended that women should be more evident and visible
in language by avoiding the use of “male-oriented” words in
the generic sense.
man (generic sense) humans, human race, human beings, human
species, humanity, humankind
or
women and men, person(s), man and
woman, individual(s), people(s), etc.
English does not possess a third person
singular pronoun which is gender-neutral. Instead the
“masculine” pronouns “he”, “him” and “his” are generally
used to refer to both men and women. This is confusing and
inaccurate and makes women invisible. There are many ways of
replacing the “he / him / his” pronouns without distorting
the message or compromising style or readability. Here are
some major strategies:
– recast the sentence in the plural
– leave out the pronoun
– repeat the noun
– use 'he or she', 'she or he' or in writing 's/he'
– recast the sentence and use another pronoun, for example,
'you', 'I' or 'we'
– recast the sentence to avoid pronouns
In speech it is common practice (however,
considered ungrammatical) to use the pronoun “they” as in:
“If a student wants to get a practice test, they should come
to my office between 2 and 4 p.m. today”.
Occupational nouns and job titles ending in
-man reduce the presence of women in such professions and
positions. There are various strategies for replacing -man
compounds. For example, the use of an existing
gender-neutral term (police officer instead of policeman),
or of the -person alternative (layperson instead of layman)
or the explicit naming of both sexes (sportsmen and women
instead of sportsmen) are some of the possibilities. It is,
of course, acceptable to use the -man compound to refer to a
man occupying the position if a woman in such a position is
referred to by a -woman compound (spokeswoman for a woman
and spokesman for a man). However, the practice of referring
to a man by means of the –man compound and to a woman by
means of the -person compound is discriminatory. Here is a
list of the most frequently used alternatives: the
alternatives marked [S] are gender-specific.
Avoid Alternatives
businessman business executive, business manager, business
owner, business person,
entrepreneur, financier, investor, proprietor
[S] businesswoman, businessman, businessmen business
community, business people,
[S] businessmen and businesswomen
cattleman cattle breeder, cattle owner, cattle producer,
cattle raiser, cattle worker, farmer
chairman the chair, chairperson, convener, coordinator,
discussion leader, head (of) … ,
leader, moderator, person chairing a meeting, person in the
chair, president,
presiding officer
[S] layman, laywoman
laymen laypeople, laypersons, lay community, laity
milkman milkdeliverer, milk supplier, 'milko' (informal)
policeman member of the police, police officer (term
indicating rank)
[S] policewoman, policeman
postman letter carrier, mail carrier, mail deliverer, postal
delivery officer, postal worker,
'postie' (informal)
[S] postwoman, postman
salesman sales agent, sales associate, sales attendant,
salesperson, sales representative,
salesworker, shop assistant, shop attendant
[S] salesman, saleswoman (not saleslady or sales girl)
spokesman (principal) advocate, offical, representative,
(person) speaking on behalf of … ,.speaker, spokesperson
[S] spokesman, spokeswoman
sportsman athlete, player, sports competitor, sportsperson
[S] sportswoman, sportsman
Do not use weathergirl if the forecaster is a woman.
workman worker, employee, working person
Occupational nouns and job titles, which refer
exclusively to women, should also be avoided. Often these
have been derived from male job titles by adding such
suffixes as -ette, -ess and -trix. This practice reinforces
the view that women's status is dependent on, or derived
from, that of men. Job titles like “girl friday” and
“salesgirl” trivialise the work women do.
Avoid Alternatives
cleaning lady / woman cleaner (house cleaner, office
cleaner)
camera girl camera operator (see also 'cameraman' for other
alternatives)
career girl professional, executive (or be specific about
the profession)
matron (nursing) director of nursing
actress actor
comedienne comedian
manageress manager
poetess poet
waitress waiter
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