presented by michael a. rushanan ([email protected]) english393 0701: october 21 st
TRANSCRIPT
Presented by Michael A. Rushanan ([email protected])English393 0701: October 21st
The following bullets will help guide our discussion with key points and set agenda goals:
• What is a “Gender Fair Language”?
• Identifying the problematic use of “he, his, or him” as a generic pronoun.
• How do we solve this problem?
• Identifying the problematic use of “man” as a generic noun.
• How do we solve this problem?
• Any critical thoughts, comments, questions?
IntroductionIntroduction
Class participation – Please point to a girl in the classroom.
Girls, well women, please raise your hand.
Gender Fair LanguageGender Fair Language
Thanks for the participation, but you’re wrong. Girl once referred to a youth of either gender. Even Heman is a girl!
Quick, ask me what the point is!
Gender Fair LanguageGender Fair Language
Gender-fair language:
• Allows the reader to focus on the content of the subject vice the gender of the subject.
• Removes the issue of the average reader’s perception of imagining a man when reading “he, his, or man”.
• Removes the bias of not visualizing a working environment containing both genders, rather than concluding a male dominated situation.
• Must be implemented carefully as it replacing he with she can draw even more attention to the gender vice the content.
Note: Remind me to give you my awesome note!
Gender Fair LanguageGender Fair Language
What is the problem?
Using he, his, or him as a generic pronoun.
Why is this a problem?
The writer misrepresents the referent as a male, and the identity of the gender is irrelevant to the information being presented.
Solutions?
There are a few, so let us list a concrete few… followed by “less fluent” solutions.
He, His, HimHe, His, Him
Use a first/second-person perspective.
Use gender-specific pronouns.
Structure the sentence without pronouns.
He, His, Him: ConcreteHe, His, Him: Concrete
Use a first/second-person perspective.
Use gender-specific pronouns.
Structure the sentence without pronouns.
He, His, Him: Examples1He, His, Him: Examples1
Use a double pronoun.
Use passive voice sparingly.
He, His, Him: Less FluentHe, His, Him: Less Fluent
Use a double pronoun.
Use passive voice sparingly.
He, His, Him: Examples2He, His, Him: Examples2
What is the problem?
Using man as a generic pronoun.
Why is this a problem?
The writer misrepresents groups that include women.
Solutions?
Glad you asked, please see the next slide.
Man…Man…
Use “person”, “mortal”, “human”, and their numerous variations.
Use a more inclusive compound word.
Man…Man…
Use “person”, “mortal”, “human”, and their numerous variations.
Use a more inclusive compound word.
Man… ExamplesMan… Examples
Article Reference: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/genderfair.html