Gender of nouns

Status
Not open for further replies.

Winwin2011

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Other forms indicating sex/gender

Or he-she- (stressed) is used as a prefix in e.g. he-goat/she-goat, or wolf/she-wolf. (Longman English Grammar, L.G. Alexander. First published 1988)

I was wondering if the 'he-she' is commonly used in modern English?

If we want to emphaize the gender of judges, which of the followings are more common in modern English?

'woman judge' and 'female judge'

Thanks.
 
Last edited:

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Other forms indicating sex/gender

Or he-she- (stressed) is used as a prefix in e.g. he-goat/she-goat, or wolf/she-wolf. (Longman English Grammar, L.G. Alexander. First published 1988)

I was wondering if the 'he-she' is commonly used in modern English?

If we want to emphaize the gender of judges, which of the followings are more common in modern English?

'woman judge' and 'female judge'

Thanks.

Yes, the he- and she- prefixes are used sometimes for some species of animals. Goats are probably referred to more often as billy goat (male) and nanny goat (female). Wolves can be called dog and bitch (just as with domestic dogs) but that could be confusing. When the difference is important, then he-wolf and she-wolf will work, but she-wolf is far more common than he-wolf. Male wolves are often just "wolves".

When it comes to humans, if it is relevant, the adjectives "male" and "female" would be the best.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Many people, in these days of equality, will tell you that no differentiation should be made between the sexes when we talk about human beings. There is no reason to specify a female judge, a male nurse, a female construction worker - if the relevant point is their job then their sex is irrelevant.
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Many people, in these days of equality, will tell you that no differentiation should be made between the sexes when we talk about human beings. There is no reason to specify a female judge, a male nurse, a female construction worker - if the relevant point is their job then their sex is irrelevant.

I wonder if wolves and goats feel the same. ;-)
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
But if you ask the alpha female, ask her VERY politely!

Winwin, it's an important point that many will be offended if you say "lady judge" "woman judge" or "female judge" unless their sex was actually relevant.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top