Travel the World  Avoiding sexist language
Till the 20th century, women were not allowed to have any kind of occupation, or study at university, so language just needed to name men. Fortunately, this unfair and abusive situation has started to change, and language is adapting to the new social landscape. Here are some words you might be interested in thinking about. You can also send in others you find!
| Men only to Everybody! |
policeman
fireman
cameraman
weatherman
maintenance men
secretaries
chairman
headmaster
webmaster
forefathers
fatherland
mankind
you guys
freshman |
police officer
fire fighter
camera operator
meteorologist
maintenance staff
administrative assistants
chair, chairperson
headteacher, head - headmistress sounds derogatory/belittling, as many femenines...
webmistress - due to how recent this word is, it does not sound belittling but descriptive! :)
ancestors
homeland
humankind, humanity, human beings, the human race, people, humans
you all, you people, you bunch, you folks,
first-year student, freshie |
| Remain the same, and people have to learn to visualize the possibility of the person being a woman (or a man)! |
doctor,
lawyer,
judge,
author, president, senator,
soldier,
scientist,
researcher,
electrician, plumber,
poet,
nurse... |
| Women only to Everybody! |
housewife
cleaning lady
maid
air hostess, stewardess
bitch
feminicide
|
househusband
cleaner
housekeeper
flight attendant
sex worker (also for men)
? - the killing of men for gender reasons does not exist so far (and hopefully ever!) |
More:
 Guidelines for non-sexist language  (from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters) and their Equitable Portrayal Code
University College Cork (Ireland) - Non-Sexist Language - A Guide
Avoiding Sexist Language at Talking People
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