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Sexist Language

The document discusses sexist language and identifies several ways that language can perpetuate gender stereotypes, including through semantic metaphors, asymmetrical terms, animal and food imagery, and portraying men as the norm. It provides examples of each, such as referring to women as "bitch" or "cow" in animal imagery, while men are called "lion" or "stud." The document advocates using neutral, inclusive language as an alternative to help avoid sexism, like using "firefighter" instead of "fireman" or "chairperson" instead of "chairman."

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Emma Precious
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85 views16 pages

Sexist Language

The document discusses sexist language and identifies several ways that language can perpetuate gender stereotypes, including through semantic metaphors, asymmetrical terms, animal and food imagery, and portraying men as the norm. It provides examples of each, such as referring to women as "bitch" or "cow" in animal imagery, while men are called "lion" or "stud." The document advocates using neutral, inclusive language as an alternative to help avoid sexism, like using "firefighter" instead of "fireman" or "chairperson" instead of "chairman."

Uploaded by

Emma Precious
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sexist Language

Dr S. Ashikuti
Introduction

Language carries attitudes.

A sexist attitude stereotypes a person according to gender,


and does not look at the person’s individual talents.

In sexist language, we find negative and positive attitudes


that stereotype men as well as women.

Sexist language is therefore any language that


discriminates against either sex.
Why talk about sexist
language?

Language…
…must reflect social realities

…must reflect an awareness of audience

…can perpetuate gender stereotypes


Is it the language that is
sexist or its speakers?
Research has been done on the ways in which
language carries these negative attitudes, especially
against women.

Feminists (people who fight for women’s rights) claim


that English is a sexist language.

It is necessary to understand that sexism has to do


with kinds of behaviour that ensures that women and
or men are treated unequally in a society.
Sexism in the English
language
Semantic
metaphors

Titles Animal imagery

Marked and
Food imagery
unmarked terms

Asymmetrical Man-as-the
terms norm syndrome
Asymmetrical terms

Male Female
Master Mistress

Mr Miss, Ms, Mrs

Wizard Witch

Player Bitch, whore, slut


Animal imagery

Animal imagery is another example where


women seem to be portrayed less positively
than men, e.g. bitch, cow, chick for women and
bull, lion, stud for men.

Although, when I say, You’re a pig! who do you


think I am talking to/about – a woman or a
man?
Food imagery

Women are also referred to in terms of food


imagery, which is equally insulting, e.g. She is a
dish, sweet pie, tart. You are my pumpkin!

These terms were used long ago to show


affection and love, but over the years, they have
acquired negative connotations because they
seem to focus on women as tasty objects.
Marked and
unmarked terms

Many words seem to show women as abnormal,


different or subordinate to men.

English morphology – its word structure – generally


takes the male form as base and then add a suffix to
show the female form: lion-lioness, actor-actress, hero-
heroine. This is true for many other languages as well.
Male as-the-norm
syndrome
In English the personal pronouns, he, him, his, are often
used with a singular noun. Every patient should collect his
medicine. Someone visited our office, and he left his phone
here. This renders women invisible.
Every presenter must bring their notes.
Every presenter must bring his/her notes.
Someone visited our office, and they left their phone.
The word man is used generically to refer to both genders
to describe for example mankind, e.g. Man has developed
the ability to read and write. Are we talking about men
only or all human beings in general?
Alternatives to sexist
language

Sexist Neutral
Fireman Fire fighter

Chairman Chairperson

Mankind Humankind
Avoid using the
generic “he.”
Avoid language that unnecessarily identifies or
emphasises gender.

Every lecturer must sign his name on the log-in sheet


before beginning his shift. →→All lecturers must sign their
names on the log-in sheet before beginning their shift.

Every nurse must bring her book and stethoscope. →→ All


nurses must bring their books and stethoscopes.

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