[Vocabulary] She is an actor

[luciaws]

Is it correct to say "she is an actor"? Or should it only be "she is an actress"? I've read the 1st form in an English book, and found it strange...

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[bhaisahab]

Is it correct to say "she is an actor"? Or should it only be "she is an actress"? I've read the 1st form in an English book, and found it strange...

Thank you very much for your help!

"She is an actor" is correct. Terms like "actress" are seen (rightly IMO) as sexist these days.

 

[SoothingDave]

And yet the Academy still gives out Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress.

 

[riquecohen]

And yet the Academy still gives out Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Right, but some of the female recipients refer to themselves as actors (in their acceptance speeches, interviews, etc.) Perhaps the categories should be called Best Actor in a Male Role and Best Actor in a Female Role.
Trying to achieve gender neutrality is so hard.

 

[SoothingDave]

Right, but some of the female recipients refer to themselves as actors (in their acceptance speeches, interviews, etc.) Perhaps the categories should be called Best Actor in a Male Role and Best Actor in a Female Role.
Trying to achieve gender neutrality is so hard.

Then you're just asking for trouble from the transgendered community. ;-)

 

[riquecohen]

Then you're just asking for trouble from the transgendered community. ;-)

You´re right. I guess we should just leave well enough alone.;-)

 

[Tullia]

You´re right. I guess we should just leave well enough alone.;-)

Or we could just offer a single award for "Best Actor" and stop caring whether it's won by a man or woman. That would be my preferred solution, since I don't believe the requirements for being a "good actor" are influenced by gender in the same way that, for example, requirements for sporting ability are.

But yes "she is an actor" is certainly the preferred version for most younger female actors nowadays, although you will still hear the other one said.

 

[Raymott]

Perhaps the categories should be called Best Actor in a Male Role and Best Actor in a Female Role.

So, Cate Blanchett could have won Best Actor in a Male Role for playing Bob Dylan?

 

[TheParser]

Is it correct to say "she is an actor"? Or should it only be "she is an actress"? I've read the 1st form in an English book, and found it strange...

Thank you very much for your help!

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

(1) I can understand why you feel that it is "strange" to use the

word "actor" for a female who acts.

(2) I assume that you are a young person. Thus, perhaps a bit

of social history would be helpful:

(a) Back in the 1960's and 1970's, various groups felt that they were

not being treated fairly. Women, for example, no longer wanted

sentences such as " I want everyone to bring his book." Thus, today

you have to say: "I want everyone to bring his/her/their book." If

anyone uses "his," she/he/they will be severely criticized.

(b) When I was young, we had stewardess, policewoman, waitress, etc.

Today we must say flight attendant, police officer, server, etc.

(c) A few people wanted to spell "history" as "herstory" and

"women" as "womyn." Most people, however, felt that this was

going too far.

(d) There are still some people who feel that "Everyone should bring

his book" and "She is a good actress" are fine English that should be

continued to be used. But they have lost the battle.

 

[luciaws]

Thank you all for such great replies. We (who are not native speakers of English) benefit immensely from all the meditations that even the seemingly most simple posts generate.

 

[riquecohen]

Thank you all for such great replies. We (who are not native speakers of English) benefit immensely from all the meditations that even the seemingly most simple posts generate.

You are very generous.