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Sexism and Language . Caitlin Bridson-Pateman and Brianna Cheyne. Defining sexist language: . “Words, phrases , and expressions that unnecessarily differentiate between women and men or exclude, trivialize, or diminish either gender” ( Parks & Roberton , 1998 ). History .
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Sexism and Language Caitlin Bridson-Pateman and Brianna Cheyne
Defining sexist language: • “Words, phrases, andexpressions that unnecessarily differentiate between womenand men or exclude, trivialize, or diminish either gender” (Parks & Roberton, 1998)
History • Second Wave - Overt • Third Wave - Covert
Overt Definition: Sexist language usage that can be straightforwardly identified. • “Old-fashioned” • Clearly marks women as being inferior to males
Overt • Dictionaries • Generic pronouns and nouns • Surnames and titles • Semantic derogation
Covert Definition: An indirect level of sexism that enables someone to express sexism while also denying responsibility for it.
Humour • Reinforces unequal power relations • Attempts to make sexism ironic
Presuppostion • To suppose or assume beforehand, take for granted in advance
Language Reform • Damage the masculine has already done on behaviour • Change the sources, rather than the symbols • Equal rights = equal words • Clear communication
Language Reform • Strategies of Reform: - Critique - Alternative Terms - Inflecting pejorative words positively - Answering back/wit
Retaliation Against Reform • What should be changed/why should there be change? • Eliminating masculine? • Losing all sex-specific terms?
What Can Be Done? • Research • Action • Clarity