Gender-Fair Language and Its Impact
Uploaded by
Ruby CasasGender-Fair Language and Its Impact
Uploaded by
Ruby CasasGender-fair Language
aoe @ Learning Outcomes ————— =—
At the end of this chapter, the students Should
be able to:
1, identify the ways language discriminar,.
against women;
2. state forms of discrimination in language.
and
3. explain how gender-fair language can be
realized.
ee
— @ Pre-work for the Chapter ————————___
Observe yourself for a day and answer the
following questions:
1. How do you speak to your female friends
and how do you speak to your male
friends? Do you shift in tone or word
choice?
2. How do you use communication tO assert
yourself and your ideas? How do you think
people of the other gender would use
language to assert themselves? Would it be
the same or different? Why or why not?
3. How do you describe feminine speech?
What about masculine speech?
How differently do men from older
generations speak as compared to women
from their generations? How is this
different from how you and your friends
speak today?
Scanned with CamScanner
Language and Gender Relations
Language 's a potent tool for how humans understand and
participate in the world. It can shape how we see society. It is a part
of culture. In this regard, language is not a neutral force; it enforces
certain ideas about people including gender,
Many gendered assumptions are present when it comes to
language. Language defines men and women differently as seen in
common adjectives associated with these genders. Unequal relations
can stem from statements that trivialize one gender’s experience or
perpetuate one gender’s supremacy, It evaluates gender, insomuch
as language trivializes or devalues certain characteristics.*' Thelma
Kintanar and Angela Tongson, in their 2014 book Gender-fair
Language: A Primer, focused on three aspects of language that
inform how gender is shaped—language articulates consciousness,
reflects culture, and affects socialization. Like gender stereotyping,
language influences how one sees his or her gender and perceives
other people's gender.
Violations of Gender-fair Language
Sexist language is a tool that reinforces unequal gender
relations through sex-role stereotypes, microaggressions, and sexual
harassment. Language can be used to abuse, such as in the case of
sexual harassment, or to perpetuate stereotypes. It can form subtle
messages that reinforce unfair relations, such as how “men cannot
take care of children” or “women cannot be engineers” which may
impact how one views his or her capabilities. All in all, language is
a powerful force that plays a significant role in how one perceives
the world.** Kintanar and Tongson gave extensive examples of these
violations in her book. The following are condensed versions and real-
life examples of violations of gender-fair language.
*' Julia T. Wood, Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture (Belmont,
California: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003).
Scanned with CamScanner
a
e
€
8
S
a
€
s
oS
=
3
Zz
2
€
e
S
a
The Perception of wo
as “darling” or “baby”
them appear ch
men as immature. Women may be labeled
by those who do not know them,
ildlike or juvenile.
The objectification, o
making
ae : r likening to objects, of women. By
ein « » a ¥ “ ‘ 9
g called honey, Sweets,” or “chick,” women become
devalued, especially if they are in an environment that merits
formality such as the workplace,
Fostering unequal gender relations
Language that lacks parallelism fosters unequal gender rel
The use of “man and wife” assumes that men are still m
. * * *
womens identities are subsum
their husbands.
ations.
en and
ed and shifted into beings in relation to
Gender polarization of words in use of adjectives
The personal care brand Dove recently came out with an
advertisement that used parallel adjectives to show the difference in
perception regarding men and women. Both men and women did
the same activity, but were described differently. In the ad, men who
took the lead were considered the “boss,” while women who had the
same initiative were considered “bossy.” Men who worked overtime
were seen as “providers,” while women who did the same were seen as
“uncaring.” This polarization of adjectives shows how perception does
change how one sees certain acts, depending on who performs them,
Hidden assumptions
Hidden assumptions in sentences can also be forms of
microaggression if the underlying perceptions are sexist and
degrading. For example, the statement, “The father is babysitting
his children,” assumes that the father is not a caregiver, and that any
attempt he has at parenting is temporary as the mother is the main
caregiver. A typical example of a situation involving sexist language is
shown in the following sample case.
Scanned with CamScanner
meh) _ GENDER-FaIR LANGUAGE Al
Scanned with CamScanner
that could not be contended with. Because it was unnamed, it
was ignored by those in power as if it did not exist. Recognizing
harassment for what it is—by defining and describing the act—
helped women around the world put mechanisms that would address
workplace harassment. Similarly, women who experienced date rape
had no term to describe what occurred to them, but naming their
experience helped them come to terms with their issue.>°
Another example of “the problem that has 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
United States during the 1950s to the 1960s. In naming the issue
that her fellow housewives felt, 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 due to the limits the society enforces on their reproductive
roles.
Sexist Language and Culture
A previous chapter noted that gender socialization is the process
in which roles are learned. Language that admonishes certain acts
depending on one’s gender is a form of externalized social control.
Common themes of a sexist language are the commercialization and
the trivialization of women. These sexist portrayals of women extend
to the advertising industry, entertainment industry, and the arts. The
normalization of sexism makes violence against women and children
acceptable or tolerable. Using language for gender stereotyping can
contribute to sexism by reinforcing the idea that certain words and
traits should only be associated with specific genders.
How people related to each other on a day-to-day basis reinforces
behavior, both positive and negative. To call someone stupid everyday
could have an effect on his or her potential, In turn, language
through its repetition of roles, stereotypes, and adjectives affects
“ Wood, Gendered Lives, p. 105. .
Ibid.
Scanned with CamScanner
i
Saee
=~» how one person enacts his
er capabilities. Constantly mocking
{1 making them
or h
en/LGBT, sexualizing them, anc
or joking about wom
appear weak would in ze these ideas.
That being said, language is not inherently sexist.
depends on a specific culture. Similarly, the attitude of a culture
towards a certain gender may ‘nfluence the words used, creating sexis,
language. Language is both a symptom and a perpetrator of sexism,
and is the very telling of how a society sees a certain gender.
deed make them internali
Being sexis
Toward a Gender-fair Language
The use of gender-fair language in educational institutions and
the removal of sexist language as imperative to gender-responsiveness
is currently being advocated. GABRIELA (General Assembly Binding
Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Reson)
Women’s Party national president and party-list representative Liz:
Maza called for a ban of sexist language in all official communicati i
and documents in the House of Representatives. The creation f,
pei gender-fair language policy and the evaluation ofthe
— ins ee sane pees in institutions are indicators for a
{ c
ensuring that institutions are 6 tant eT
Lan e :
Ones oa than just the arrangement of words.
also a process that repres i language and vice versa. Language is
must be changed Be ewe beliefs, arid experiences. !
ged to reflect the changes in the world as well as to be
free from bias sj
m bias since
others ar ’ words can affect how a perso If and
ound him or her person sees oneself an
Scanned with CamScanner
Common questions
Powered by AILanguage discriminates against women by perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing unequal relationships through structures and word choices that trivialize or undermine women's experiences. For instance, women are often objectified by being referred to as "darling" or "baby," which diminishes their maturity and professionalism, especially in formal environments like the workplace . The use of phrases like "man and wife" suggests men have primary identities that subsume women's identities . These linguistic choices subtly support the idea that women are lesser compared to men, which reinforces gender inequality .
Sexist language reinforces societal norms that trivialize and commodify women's roles, contributing to a culture that normalizes gender-based discrimination and violence. It maintains power imbalances by perpetuating stereotypes that devalue women, such as associating them with trivial or domestic roles while elevating male-associated traits . Language serves as both a reflection and a tool of cultural sexism, influencing perceptions and potentially limiting women's real-life opportunities and undermining gender equality .
Naming experiences empowers women by providing a framework to articulate and address issues that were previously undefined and ignored. For example, by identifying and defining 'date rape,' women could recognize their experiences as violations and seek justice and societal change . Similarly, terms like 'the problem that has no name,' as coined by Betty Friedan, clarified the structural oppression felt by housewives, which facilitated awareness and action against the limitations imposed by societal gender roles .
Language both reflects and shapes cultural perceptions of gender by portraying gender roles and stereotypes that influence societal norms and expectations. It projects certain ideas about gender, such as associating 'provider' with men and 'bossy' with women, even when performing the same roles . This polarization affects how individuals see themselves and others in society, reinforcing traditional gender roles and limiting personal expression and opportunities for both genders .
Language reinforces gender stereotypes by embedding cultural norms and biases into everyday communication, which shapes societal expectations and behaviors. These stereotypes are perpetuated by repetitive language that associates certain roles and traits with specific genders . Strategies to counteract this include the promotion of gender-fair language policies and education to consciously alter ingrained linguistic patterns and foster equality in social institutions .
Whether language is perceived as sexist or neutral often depends on cultural attitudes towards gender roles. A culture's dominant norms and values can determine whether certain language choices are accepted or seen as reinforcing stereotypes. For example, describing women in diminutive terms might be acceptable in one culture but considered derogatory in another . Thus, language both reflects and influences cultural perceptions, potentially entrenching biases or fostering social change depending on the linguistic practices valued by a society .
Implementing gender-fair language policies in workplaces can significantly enhance gender equality by fostering an inclusive environment that challenges and restructures traditional role-associated language. By eliminating phrases and terms that trivialize or commodify any gender, such policies encourage language that respects and reflects all employees equally. This supports broader equality efforts by promoting diversity and limiting discrimination, leading to more balanced gender representation and opportunities within professional settings .
Gender-fair language in educational institutions is crucial as it promotes inclusivity and equality, challenging traditional gender stereotypes from an early age. By removing sexist language and adopting gender-neutral terms, educational environments encourage students to see themselves and others through a modern, equitable lens, contributing to broader societal gender responsiveness . This shift can lead to more balanced gender relations and opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender .
Hidden assumptions in language can perpetuate microaggressions and reinforce gender stereotypes that uphold unequal power dynamics. For instance, the assumption that a father "babysits" his children implies that caregiving is not an inherent male role, reinforcing the notion that such responsibilities belong primarily to women . These subtle linguistic choices shape perceptions and expectations, sustaining discriminatory roles and limiting the potential for achieving gender equality .
Microaggressions, often embedded in everyday language, subtly undermine gender identities by perpetuating stereotypes and marginalizing experiences. Language that conveys condescension or stereotypes, such as calling women 'bossy' while men in the same role are 'leaders,' invalidates women's professional roles and capabilities . These linguistic microaggressions accumulate, shaping individuals' gender identities by reinforcing traditional roles and limiting self-expression and societal recognition of diverse gender contributions .