Sexist Language

 1) What is sexist language? 

Language that excludes either men or women when discussing a topic that is applicable to both sexes is considered sexist language.

2) How to replace sexist words in your vocabulary?

• Use genderless collective references: Use humanity or the human race instead of man or mankind when you are referring to all people.
• Avoid the generic he: Don’t use he or him as a generic term. Instead, use an appropriate article, such as the, a, or an. Instead of his, use one’s or a person’s. If you are speaking of a single hypothetical individual, use person or individual instead of man.
• Describe roles without specifying gender: Use genderless titles whenever possible, such as meterologist instead of weatherman, firefighter instead of fireman, and homemaker instead of housewife.
• Don’t add gender markers: Avoid adding gender markers to genderless titles, such as male nurse; use the genderless title alone (i.e., nurse). This should apply to all occupations; there is no reason to pair a person’s gender with the individual’s job title.

• Use plural where possible: Rework sentences in the plural to avoid gendered pronouns and possessive adjectives. This will create smoother and more grammatically correct prose than using a plural pronoun with a singular subject. For example:

  • Sexist: Each student makes up his own schedule.
  • Grammatically incorrect: Each student makes up their own schedule.
  • Gender-neutral and grammatically correct: Students make up their own schedules.
• Include both male and female pronouns: When it is not possible to recast sentences in the plural, use “he or she” or “his or her” to be inclusive. (The winning contestant must claim his or her prize by Tuesday.) However, using this formulation too often can break up the flow of your writing, so use it sparingly.
• Use gender neutral letter greetings: Don’t address letters to Dear Sir(s). Contact the company to get the actual name of the letter recipient or use “To Whom it May Concern” or similar.

Discussion

1) Which jobs used to be very gender-based? Give examples. Are there any jobs you think are only or mostly for men or for women? 

2) Do you think it is possible for genders to be equal, but different? Explain. 

3) Should a language change in order to make all people feel included?  Is it making communication easier or more complicated? Give examples from everyday life. 

4) Imagine your job is acting. Would you prefer to be called an actor or actress? Do you think we need a different word which would be gender-neutral? Give your ideas what it could be. 

5) Which language is more gender-neutral: Estonian or English? Give examples or reasons why you think so. 

6) As the families are changing too, do you think people should stop using words "mother"/"father" and replace them by a neutral word "parent"? Why? Why not?

7) As the number of people who identify themselves as non-binary is rising, please think of the reasons. 

8) Find a gender-neutral word for...

* sportsman / sportswoman

* barman / barmaid

* businesswoman / businessman

* fireman

* stewardess

* headmaster / headmistress

* mailman, postman

* king / queen

* schoolgirl / schoolboy

* wife / husband

* handsome / beautiful

* girlish / boyish

* motherhood / fatherhood