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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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