Sexist language

nyggus · #1 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 08:46

I am reading an article where the authors (one male and one female) use "she" instead of "he" in order to avoid the sexist language. Is this not, by the way, the very same sexist approach to language, but with the gender changed?

Nyggus

PS: It does look unnaturally.

Naamplao · #2 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyggus

I am reading an article where the authors (one male and one female) use "she" instead of "he" in order to avoid the sexist language. Is this not, by the way, the very same sexist approach to language, but with the gender changed?

Nyggus

PS: It does look unnaturally.

I agree...but you are treading in a minefield.

There has been a great deal of language change to avoid seeming sexist.

Instead of Chairman....you now often see Chairperson
Instead of fireman....you see fire fighter
instead of policeman...you see police officer

you can even hear of a maintenance portal cover instead of a manhole cover

The first three are reasonable substitutions but the last one carries it to the extreme...for me anyway.

It seems that nowadays we are taking great pains not to offend.

This extends to other parts of the English language...not just regarding gender.

He is not mentally ill .... he is mentally challenged.
A man is not a bum or hobo ..... he is homeless.

nyggus · #3 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naamplao

I agree...but you are treading in a minefield.

There has been a great deal of language change to avoid seeming sexist.

Instead of Chairman....you now often see Chairperson
Instead of fireman....you see fire fighter
instead of policeman...you see police officer

you can even hear of a maintenance portal cover instead of a manhole cover

The first three are reasonable substitutions but the last one carries it to the extreme...for me anyway.

It seems that nowadays we are taking great pains not to offend.

This extends to other parts of the English language...not just regarding gender.

He is not mentally ill .... he is mentally challenged.
A man is not a bum or hobo ..... he is homeless.

Thanks. I know these issues, as they're discussed in most books on writing in English, but this one I mentioned drew my attention as rather funny.

Nyggus

Ouisch · #4 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 16:57

Usually you'll find the use of "she" as a generic pronoun instead of "he" in feminist literature - articles or books written by very staunch feminists. They believe that the word "he" has been used for centuries, and it's time for the pendulum to swing the other way, which is why (even though, as you mentioned, it's sexist in its own way) they'll use "she."

Some feminists are so radicalized that they spell "women" as "womyn," so that there is no reference to "men" in the word.

nyggus · #5 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Some feminists are so radicalized that they spell "women" as "womyn," so that there is no reference to "men" in the word.

Actually, this paper I was reading has nothing to do with feminism: it is concerned concerned with scientific writing, so I would not say the authors do not know how to write. In fact, they do. They do.

Nyggus

Naamplao · #6 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyggus

Actually, this paper I was reading has nothing to do with feminism: it is concerned concerned with scientific writing, so I would not say the authors do not know how to write. In fact, they do. They do.

Nyggus

As I said before, Nyggus, gender neutral language is a minefield.

nyggus · #7 (**permalink**) 27-Oct-2007, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naamplao

As I said before, Nyggus, gender neutral language is a minefield.

Yes, it is. In fact, it is enough to read many posts at these forums here, those in which this topic is dealt with. People do have various opinions on this!

Thanks,
Nyggus