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Re: gender bias in language
JOHN LANGDON (LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU)
Thu, 6 Apr 1995 15:03:36 -0400
In message Ruby Rohrlich writes:
> It's a pity Hendrickson hasn't understood what a small minority he
> constitutes among the men on this list. But I think we all understand
> that he gets his jollies through his postings. As for Valerie, I'm sorry
> I posted to her privately, but I think she constitutes an even smaller
> minority among the women. Now let it rip, and I promise not to respond.
Sorry, but I think his point deserves more consideration than this contemptuous
dismissal. I have conscientiously tried to eradicate 'sexist' language such as
'mankind' from my course in human evolution, among others, but I consistently
find students -- male and female equally -- using 'man' and 'mankind.' It is
clear that to them the words maintain their prefeminist meanings. I realize that
merely identifying what those prefeminist meanings are/were would open a new
Vesuvius. I believe, however, that all of my students who use such terms for our
species are not sexist. Some certainly are, but this use of words is scarcely
diagnostic.
Gender-neutral language has not permeated our society. If you take offense (or
pity) at all those who use gendered terms, you are unfairly putting negative
labels on them. I, for one, am offended at that.
JOHN H. LANGDON email LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY FAX (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227
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