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Gender-Fair Language
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GENDER-FAIR LANGUAGE
GENDER EQUALITY
Laws and Policies
Introduction
"I need to speak to the secretary - is she in the office?"
"Your boss needs to know he can rely on you."
"But my boss is a woman..."
"Paul's effeminate handshake did not impress his new boss, who believes salespeople need a firm handshake."
Evolution in the role and rights of women
Laws and Policies
International Laws
UNESCO's 3rd edition
GUIDELINES ON GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE
UNESCO's 1st edition
"GUIDE TO NON-SEXIST LANGUAGE"
This is a principle according to which human beings, without distinction of race, sex, religion, socio-cultural or political status, are considered to have equal rights.
b. Equality
c. Gender Equality
This means an equal visibility, empowerment and participation of both sexes in spheres of public and private life.
It also means accepting and valuing equally the differences between women and men and the diverse roles they play in society.
International laws
1979
1987
1999
UNESCO's 3rd edition
GUIDELINES ON GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE
UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
a. Empowerment of Women
- INTERNATIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
as a policy objective implies that women legitimately have the ability and should, individually and collectively, participate effectively in decision-making processes that shape their societies and their own lives, especially about societal priorities and development directions.
- DISCRIMINATION as"...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."
National Laws
Republic Act 9710
MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN
GENDER FAIR LANGUAGE:
A PRIMER
- affirms the role of women in nation-building
- ensures the substantive equality of men and women
- promotes empowerment of women
- pursues equal opportunities
- ensures equal access to resources and to development results and outcome
- Thelma Kintanar
- University Center for Women's Studies, UP
- SEXISM LANGUAGE, KINDS of Sexist Language
National
laws
2008
2005
1987
1998
CSC MC No. 12, s.2005
Philippine Constitution,
Section 14, Article 2
USE of NON-SEXIST LANGUAGE IN ALL OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, and ISSUANCE
“State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.”
What is sexism in language?
It is the use of language which devalues members of one sex, almost invariably women, and thus fosters gender inequality.
Use of Gender-fair language
Importance of Non-sexist Language
Why the concern about mere words?
Language articulates consciousness.
Language reflects culture.
Language affects socialization.
Kinds of sexist language
What are the kinds of sexist language?
Language that excludes women or
renders them invisible - use of generic masculine
Alternative
Current usage
man
mankind, men
human being, individual
human beings, humans, humankind, people,
men and women
workers, wage earners
average person, ordinary person
staffing, working, running
working men
man on the street
manning
founding fathers
manpower
brotherhood of man
founders
human resources, staff, personnel
the family of humanity, human solidarity, the unity of people
Language that excludes women or
renders them invisible - "He", "His", "Him"
Alternative
Current usage
When reporters cover controverial stories, they have a responsibility...
When a reporter covers a controversial story, he has a responsibility to present both sides of the issue.
All employees should wear their IDs...
Each employee should wear his ID to work everyday.
Customers with complaints should be sent to the service desk.
If a customer has a complaint, send him to the service desk.
Language that excludes women or
renders them invisible - terms ending in 'man' to refer to functions
Alternative
Current usage
anchor, anchorperson
business owner, manager
chair, chairperson
anchorman
businessman
chairman
congressman
policeman
fireman
Representative, member of congress
police officer, law enforcement officer
fire fighter
spokesperson
diplomats, political leaders
guards
spokesman
statesmen
watchmen
Language that trivializes women or diminishes their stature
Alternative
Current usage
actor, author
usher
actress, authoress
usherette
avaiator
comedian
aviatrix
comedienne
doctor, lawyer
nurse, secretary
heroes, wage-earning mothers
"doctora", female lawyer
male nurse, male secretary
heroic women, working mothers
Language that fosters unequal gender relations
Alternative
Current usage
husband and wife
men and women; boys and girls
man and wife
men and girls
delivery man
parenthood
sex tourism
delivery boy
motherhood, fatherhood
traffic in women
clergyman
fathers
member of the clergy, priest, pastor
priests
Gender polarization of meanings in the use of adjectives
forceful men
forceful women
angry men
angry women
men who are interested in everything
women who are interested in everything
Use non-sexist language
Guidelines on the use of non-sexist language or gender-fair language
Eliminate the generic use of HE, HIS, or HIM unless the antecedent is obviously male
Use plural nouns
The lawyer uses his brief to guide him.
The lawyers use their briefs to guide them.
Delete the pronouns and reword if necessary
The architect uses his blueprint to guide him.
The architect uses the blueprint as a guide.
Substitute articles (a, an, the) for HIS; using WHO instead of HE
The writer should know his readers well.
The writer should know the readers well.
Eliminate the generic use of HE, HIS, or HIM unless the antecedent is obviously male
Use One, We, or You
As one grows older, he becomes more effective.
As one grows older, one becomes more effective
Use the passive voice
The manager must submit his proposal today.
The proposal must be submitted by the manager today.
Eliminate the generic use of MAN
People, Person(s), Human(s)
Human Being(s), Humankind
Humanity, Human Race
feelings of brotherhood, fraternity
feelings of kinship, solidarity
Eliminate sexism in symbolic representations of gender in words, sentences, and text
Find precise words to delineate the thing itself from supposedly sex-linked characteristics
Titanic was a great ship, but she rests at the bottomof the sea.
Titanic was a great ship, but it now...
Use Ms. instead of Mrs.
Mrs. Santiago
Ms. Santiago
Mrs. Juan dela Cruz
Ms. Maria Santos-dela Cruz
Use a married woman's first name instead of her husband's
Dra. Concepcion Reyes
Dr. Concepcion Reyes
Use the corresponding titles for females
Dear Sir, Dear Madam
Dear Editor, Dear Credit Manager, Dear Colleagues
Use the title of the job or group in letters of unknown persons
Paraphrase the quote using non-sexist language, and give the original author credit for the idea
Quote directly and add [sic] after the sexist part