Gender-Fair

Language
Module 5
Learning Objective
1. Identify ways on how language
discriminates against people.
2. State forms of discrimination
in language
3. Explain how gender fair
language can be realized.
What is Language?
Language is an important tool for how humans
understand one another and the world
 In this chapter, we’re going to
discuss how language, just like
stereotyping, influences how one
sees his or her gender and views
other people’s genders.
Lets Try This!
 Make the Job Titles More Gender Fair or Neutral

Foreman Repairman Fisherman

How can you make the title of How can you make the title of How can you make the title of
FOREMAN to more gender REPAIRMAN to more gender Fisherman to more gender neutral
neutral title? neutral title? title?

Congressman Stewardess Policeman

How can you make the title of How can you make the title of How can you make the title of
Congressman to more gender Stewardess to more gender neutral Policeman to more gender neutral
neutral title? title? title?
 Violations of Gender-Fair
Language
• Sexist language is a tool that reinforces
unequal gender relations through sex-role
stereotypes, microaggressions, and sexual
harassment, or to perpetuate stereotypes.
• Language is a powerful force that plays a
significant role in how one perceives the
world.
What is Sexism in Language
• It’s the use of language which devalues
members of one sex, almost invariably
women, and thus foster gender inequality.
• It discriminates against women by
rendering them invisible or trivializing
them at the same time that it perpetuates
notions of male supremacy.
Why the Concern about Mere Words?
• Language articulates consciousness
• Language reflects culture
• Language affects socialization
What are the Kinds of Sexist Language?
• Language that excludes women or renders them invisible.
• Language that trivializes women or diminishes their stature
• Language that fosters unequal gender relations
• Gender polarization of meaning in the use of Adjectives.
 1
Invisibilization
of Women
Rooted in the assumption that men are
dominant and are the norm of the fullness of
humanity and women do not exist.
Invisibilization of Women | The use of generic masculine
• Subsuming all humanity in the terms man, father, master.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” –Neil Armstrong
“In layman’s term”
“This was built by our forefathers”
“That one-man show performance was great”
“There is in need of manpower”
“That Dam is man-made”
Invisibilization of Women | The Singular Masculine Pronounces
Example 1.1
When a reporter covers a controversial story, he has a
responsibility to present both sides of the issue.

Suggested Alternative
When reporters cover controversial story, they have a
responsibility to present both sides of the issue.

Pluralization
Invisibilization of Women | The Singular Masculine Pronounces

Example 1.2
Each student should bring his notebook to class everyday

Suggested Alternative
All students should bring their notebooks to class every day.
Invisibilization of Women | The Singular Masculine Pronounces

Example 1.3
Everyone packed his own lunch.

Suggested Alternative (Removing of pronounce)

Everyone packed a lunch
Invisibilization of Women | The Singular Masculine Pronounces

Example 1.3
If a customer has a complaint, send him to the service desk.

Suggested Alternative (Removing of pronounce)

Customers with complaint should be sent to the service desk.
Invisibilization of Women | The Singular Masculine Pronounces
Example 1.4
The handicapped child may be able to feed himself.

Suggested Alternative (Let’s try this one!)

Invisibilization of Women | Terms ending in man
Invisibilization of Women | Terms ending in man
Invisibilization of Women
Terms used as though they apply to adult males only, or are appropriated to a particular sex

Examples
Settlers moved west taking their wives and children with them.
(Use “families” for “wives and children”)

Farmers found their drought conditions difficult, and so did their

wives. (Use “spouses” for “wives”)
Invisibilization of Women
Terms used as though they apply to adult males only, or are appropriated to a particular sex

Examples
Settlers moved west taking their wives and children with them.
(Use “families” for “wives and children”)

Farmers found their drought conditions difficult, and so did their

wives. (Use “spouses” for “wives”)
 2
Language that
trivializes women or
diminish their stature
Language that trivializes women or diminish their stature
Use of sex-linked modifiers sounds gratious, is patronizing and suggest that the norm for some occupation
is for a particular sex.
Examples

1. The defendant is represented by a female lawyer.

2. Doctora Jane David
3. Male Nurse

Alternative
- Female lawyer > Lawyer
- Doctora > Doctor
- Male nurse > Nurse
 3
Language that foster
unequal gender
relations
Language that foster unequal gender relations
Lack of Parallelism

Examples…

1. Man and wife

2. Men and girls

Alternative…

1. Husband and wife

2. Men and women
Language that foster unequal gender relations
The use of terms that call attention to a person’s sex in designating occupations, positions, roles, etc.

Examples… Alternative…

1. Delivery boy Deliverers

2. Motherhood or Fatherhood Parenthood
3. Mailman or Postman Mail carries
4. Fathers (religious) Priest
5. Stewardess Flight Attendant
6. Domestic or maids Household workers
Language that foster unequal gender relations
The use of terms that call attention to a person’s sex in designating occupations, positions, roles, etc.

Examples… Alternative…

1. Delivery boy Deliverers

2. Motherhood or Fatherhood Parenthood
3. Mailman or Postman Mail carries
4. Fathers (religious) Priest
5. Stewardess Flight Attendant
6. Domestic or maids Household workers
 4
Gender Polarization of
Meanings in the use of
adjectives
Gender Polarization of Meanings in the use of adjectives

Examples:

1. Forceful men are perceived as charismatic while forceful women are labeled
domineering.
2. We describe angry men as outraged, while angry woman are hysterical
3. When man talk together, it is called a convention. But when women talk together, it
is called gossip.
 Part II

Identities and Naming Things

We are done with what kinds of language sexist use.
The following points will talk about why “Naming
things give people the power”
For example, when sexual harassment was not yet
known as sexual harassment, it was never seen as
an issue. It was an unwanted behavior in the
workplace but was considered as a non-issue.
Another example of the “problem with no name”
was given by Betty Friedan in her book, The
Feminine Mystique, in 1963. Friedan described it
as the discontent that middle class housewives felt
in the US during the 1950’s to the 1960’s.
 Friedan was able to highlight the structural
oppression experienced by housewives, that despite
their basic needs, being met, they themselves were
unable to take control of their lives.
GABRIELA called for a ban of sexist language in all
official communication and documents in the house of
representatives.

GAD Policies in all Govt. Institutions

These actions are small steps one can take in

ensuring that institutions are indeed gender-fair.