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(Add to) General
editThe traditional use of the word "man" to encompass all of humankind is seen to be outdated.[1] Using gender-neutral language is now considered good practice in professional writing.[1] A professor at Seton Hill University explains that the use of gender neutral language is important because commonly used phrases or occupational titles “unnecessarily excludes women.” The use of gender-neutral language boosts effective communication by including all possible readers, making the message more accessible.[2]
During the 1970s, feminists Casey Miller and Kate Swift created a manual, The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing, on gender neutral language that was set to reform the existing sexist language that excluded and dehumanized women.[3] the 1980's, many feminist efforts were made to reform the androcentric language.[4]
(Add to) Gender Emphasis
edit- (currently on Wiki) Neutralising any reference to gender or sex, like using "they" as a 3rd person singular pronoun instead of "he" or "she", and proscribing words like actress (female actor) and prescribing the use of words like actor for persons of any gender. (add) Although it has long been accepted in the English language, Traditionalists argue that using "they" as a singular pronoun is considered grammatically incorrect, but acceptable in informal writing.[1]
- Avoiding the use of "him/her" or the third person singular pronoun "they" by using "the" or restructuring the sentence all together to avoid all three.[1]
Examples of Gender Emphasis in Occupational Titles:[5]
| Gendered Title | Gender Neutral Title |
|---|---|
| businessman, business woman | business person, people in business |
| chairman, chair woman | chair, chairperson |
| cleaning lady | office cleaner |
| mailman | mail carrier, letter carrier |
| policeman, policewoman | police officer |
| salesman | salesperson, sales associate, salesclerk |
| stewardess | flight attendant |
| waiter, waitress | server |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Gender Neutral Language in Writing". www.skillsyouneed.com. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- ^ "Gender-Neutral Language Tips: How to Avoid Biased Writing, Without Sounding Awkward | Jerz's Literacy Weblog". jerz.setonhill.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "Gender neutral language - Nonbinary.org". nonbinary.org. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
- ^ Flanagan, J. (March 1, 2013). "The Use and Evolution of Gender Neutral Language in an Intentional Community". Women & Gender.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Bureau, Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada - Translation. "Guidelines for gender-neutral language - Language articles - Language Portal of Canada". www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)