The Struggle For Gender The Struggle For Gender Free LanguageFree LanguageIs it Over Yet?Is it Over Yet?

Presentation By:Presentation By:

Wesley RayWesley Ray

Bias in LanguageBias in Language

►All current style manuals address the All current style manuals address the need for bias free language.need for bias free language.

►Some believe that this bias free Some believe that this bias free language is overly stressed.language is overly stressed.

The “Generic The “Generic hehe””

►This word is avoided because it is This word is avoided because it is considered not inclusive to all readers.considered not inclusive to all readers.

►The word he is a masculine pronounThe word he is a masculine pronoun

Ways to Eliminate Gender Ways to Eliminate Gender BiasBias

►PluralizePluralize Make the subject and verb plural. Make the subject and verb plural.

(His becomes their)(His becomes their)

►Use “you” or “we” instead of “he”Use “you” or “we” instead of “he”►Use “he” or “she”Use “he” or “she”►Substitute passive voiceSubstitute passive voice

Problems with Using Gender Problems with Using Gender Free LanguageFree Language

►Wording sounds forced.Wording sounds forced.►Additions to works requires writing in Additions to works requires writing in

the original selected voice and person.the original selected voice and person.► Imprecision and wordiness. Imprecision and wordiness. ►Using “he” is more accepted in spoken Using “he” is more accepted in spoken

language than in written language.language than in written language.

More Ways to Eliminate Gender-More Ways to Eliminate Gender-Bias LanguageBias Language

► Replace gender-specific terms with inclusive Replace gender-specific terms with inclusive termsterms Ex: Police Officer, Flight Attendant, NewscasterEx: Police Officer, Flight Attendant, Newscaster

► Problems:Problems: Not always easy to come up with words that Not always easy to come up with words that

have the same meaning. (Ex: Congressman, have the same meaning. (Ex: Congressman, Forefathers)Forefathers)

Alternative words may sound awkward Alternative words may sound awkward (Ex: Chairman -> Chairperson, (Ex: Chairman -> Chairperson,

The Struggle ContinuesThe Struggle Continues

►Some words are not obviously gender-Some words are not obviously gender-biased and are still used. (Ex: Mastermind, biased and are still used. (Ex: Mastermind, Craftsmanship, Sportsmanship)Craftsmanship, Sportsmanship)

►New usages for words may develop in the New usages for words may develop in the future. But writers must take care not to future. But writers must take care not to loose the substance of their message by loose the substance of their message by using alternative wording.using alternative wording.

►There are still some who refuse to change. There are still some who refuse to change.

Work CitedWork Cited

Jane Rea, “The Struggle For Gender-Free Language: Is Jane Rea, “The Struggle For Gender-Free Language: Is It Over Yet?”, EII Communications It Over Yet?”, EII Communications <http://www.eeicommunications.com/eye/gender.ht<http://www.eeicommunications.com/eye/gender.html>ml>