Some examples of sexism in the English language

(and how to avoid them)

Prepared by Noelle Leslie dela Cruz, Ph.D. Philosophy Department, De La Salle University

Some examples of sexism in English

Masculine generics Diminutive suffixes Salutations Marking Asymmetry Animal and food terms Anti-male bias

Masculine generics
Using masculine nouns and pronouns as generic terms
Man the rational animal The man in the street All men are created equal

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Masculine generics
Research since the 1970s shows that masculine generics conjure masculine images (Ivy & Backlund 2000: 175) My brother married a spaceman from NASA. The Development of the Uterus in Rats, Guinea Pigs, and Men (actual thesis title) No person may require another person to perform, participate in, or undergo an abortion against his will.

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Masculine generics
Originally, the world man in Old English literally meant human being Waepman male human being Wifman female human being Wifman evolved into the contemporary word woman Meanwhile, waepman dropped its first four letters and evolved into man
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Masculine generics: Some solutions

1. Using alternative words, e.g. humankind instead of mankind Note: Not all words with man in them are sexist, e.g. human, woman, manager, emancipate, manipulate 2. Using both pronouns Every student is expected to bring his or her own test booklet.

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Masculine generics: Some solutions

3. Pluralizing Students are expected to bring their own test booklets. 4. Rewording Test booklets will not be provided or Bring your own test booklet.
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Diminutive suffixes
Adding a suffix such as ette, -ess, -enne, or trix to a noun E.g. Actress, authoress, aviatrix, comedienne, laundress, songstress, waitress The suffix perpetuates the notion that the male is the norm and the female is the subset, a deviation, a secondary classification It makes a persons sex too important

Stewardess

Salutations: Miss and Mrs.

Women are labelled as single or married, Miss or Mrs., a linguistic practice that has no equivalent in referring to men Mr. doesnt reflect a mans marital status: he could be single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed To counter this practice, feminists began to use the neologism Ms., whichlike Mr.is silent about marital status As a trivia, Amelia Earhart used to be known as Mrs. George Palmer Putman and Charlotte Bronte, Mrs. Arthur B. Nicholls

Ms. magazine, founded by American feminist Gloria Steinem

Marking
Placing a sex-identifying adjective in front of a noun to designate the referent as somehow different or deviant E.g. woman doctor, male secretary, female boss, male nurse, lady driver, lady dentist Such sex marking is limiting, discriminatory, and unnecessary References to sports teams also reflect this sexist practice. Male teams or groups use the generic or mascot name. E.g. The Green Archers, the Lady Archers

Gay Lord Focker, male nurse

Asymmetry
The use of un-parallel terms when referring to the sexes E.g. A man without a girl I now pronounce you man and wife

Asymmetry
Some terms were originally parallel but their meanings have changed, such that the feminine form has a negative connotation Male terms Master Host Governor Bachelor Stud Sir Female terms Mistress Hostess Governess Spinster, old maid Slut Madam

Animal and food terms

Using animal and food terms for men and women is demeaning and sexist Some animal terms for women: Fox, vixen, hen (henpecked), chick, bitch, pussy, kitten, bunny, shrew, broad Some animal terms for men: Wolf, cock, snake, bull, tiger, cat, tomcat, gorilla, big ape, big ox, ass, jackass

Animal and food terms

Food terms used in referring to women are trivializing and stem from a culture that equates consumption with relationships with women Some food terms for women: Honey, sugar, cookie, pumpkin, cupcake, baby cakes, cutie pie, sugar lips, lamb chop, tart Note: Only in certain contexts and within certain relationships should animal and food terms for persons be construed as endearments

Anti-male bias
Using language that excludes or limit men, or evokes negative male stereotypes Mother and parent are often used interchangeably E.g. What would your mother say?, Didnt your mother teach you anything? There is language that strongly suggests to boys the roles they are to play and chastises them if they stray E.g. Sissy, mamas boy, Take it like a man, impotent

Mugger is often imagined to be male

Anti-male bias
Males are excluded from victim language, e.g. Wife abuse and Innocent women and children Negative stereotypes of men are embedded in words associated with crime and wrongdoing, e.g. Murderer, mugger, suspect, rapist
Mugger is often imagined to be male