Say goodbye to sexist language!

Today’s English
June 24th, 2017

What’s sexist language? If your use of language excludes either male or female and showcases one sex superior to the other one, then it’s sexist language. Example: Man is a victim  to power and money. (Do you think, humanity consists only males, not females?) Traditional English felt unashamed of using it but modern English condemns this kind of gender bias. Sexist language encourages gender discrimination and discourages the other sex from pursuing their dreams.  Moreover by using it you offend half of your audience and then how will you get your message across?

How to avoid sexist language in your speech and writing?

1. Use a common term instead of a gender biased one

A. Sexist English: Man falls victim to his own desires.
Standard English: Humanity falls victim to its own desires.
B. Sexist English: Altruist refers to a man who is unselfish.
Standard English: Altruist refers to a person who is unselfish.

2. Use they, their, them instead of he, his, him after everybody, anybody, somebody

A. Sexist English: Everyone has his own problems in life.
Standard English: Everyone has their own problems in life.
B. Sexist : If anyone comes to you, ask him to meet me.
Standard English: If anyone comes to you, ask them to meet me.

3. If the noun doesn’t specify the gender,  use “he or she", shared pronoun.

A. A candidate has to affix his or her photo without fail.
B. Every teacher has his or her own freedom to teach.

4. Go for genderless title rather than the traditional one

A. A salesperson's job is not the easiest one. (Not “salesman”)
B. Only a police officer can deal with this matter. ( Not policeman or policewoman)

5. In modern English a traditional male suffix refers to both sexes and therefore feminine terms are undesirable.

A. She is the most realistic actor I have ever seen. (“Actress” is unsuited.)
B. She is a poet as well as a physical director. (Poetess and directoress sound odd)

“Woman is not born: she is made. In the making, her humanity is destroyed. She becomes symbol of this, symbol of that: mother of the earth, slut of the universe; but she never becomes herself because it is forbidden for her to do so.”
- Andrea Dworkin