| Revision as of 04:22, 6 September 2007 editBikeable (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,103 edits two minor wording change suggestions, intended to clarify but not to change meaning.← Previous edit | Revision as of 05:55, 6 September 2007 edit undoTony1 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Template editors276,742 edits Copy-edit; nothing controversialNext edit → | ||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| ===Gender-neutral language === | ===Gender-neutral language === | ||
| Gender-neutral language is concerned not with editors’ beliefs, but with avoiding language that might be interpreted by some readers as an unnecessary reinforcement of traditional stereotypes. Examples of non-neutral language that can easily be avoided include | Gender-neutral language is concerned not with editors’ beliefs, but with avoiding language that might be interpreted by some readers as an unnecessary reinforcement of traditional stereotypes. Examples of non-neutral language that can easily be avoided include | ||
| *''he'', ''his'', ''she'' |
*''he'', ''his'', ''she'' or ''her'' to refer to both sexes | ||
| *''man'' to stand for both sexes, either as a separate item (''man’s journey into the unknown'') or a suffix (''fireman'') | *''man'' to stand for both sexes, either as a separate item (''man’s journey into the unknown'') or a suffix (''fireman'') | ||
| *grammatically marked items to represent one sex (''actress'', ''conductress'', ''career woman'' and ''male nurse''), with the possible implication that the participation of the other sex is the norm | *grammatically marked items to represent one sex (''actress'', ''conductress'', ''career woman'' and ''male nurse''), with the possible implication that the participation of the other sex is the norm | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| *using ''he or she'' (“Each politician is responsible for his or her constituency”), although this can be ungainly if repeated within a short space | *using ''he or she'' (“Each politician is responsible for his or her constituency”), although this can be ungainly if repeated within a short space | ||
| *otherwise rewording (not “A pilot must keep his spacepod under control at all times; if he loses control, he must hit ‘new game’ immediately”, but “A pilot must keep the spacepod under control at all times; if that control is lost, the pilot must hit ‘new game’ immediately”) | *otherwise rewording (not “A pilot must keep his spacepod under control at all times; if he loses control, he must hit ‘new game’ immediately”, but “A pilot must keep the spacepod under control at all times; if that control is lost, the pilot must hit ‘new game’ immediately”) | ||
| *using the ] (“Each politician is responsible for their constituency”). The grammatical validity of this |
*using the ] (“Each politician is responsible for their constituency”). The grammatical validity of this is widely disputed, although it is widely used. | ||
| Non-neutral usage can sometimes be avoided by careful word choice; for example, by using ''operated'' or ''staffed'' (instead of ''manned''), ''people'' or ''humanity'' (''man''), ''layperson'' (''layman''), ''police officer'' (''policeman''), ''business owners'' (''businessmen''); in these cases, ensure that the basic meaning is preserved. Where the gender is known, gender-specific items are also appropriate ("Bill Gates is a businessman" or "Nancy Pelosi is a congresswoman.") | |||
Revision as of 05:55, 6 September 2007
Draft proposal for inclusion in the Manual of Style under "Usage".
Gender-neutral language
Gender-neutral language is concerned not with editors’ beliefs, but with avoiding language that might be interpreted by some readers as an unnecessary reinforcement of traditional stereotypes. Examples of non-neutral language that can easily be avoided include
- he, his, she or her to refer to both sexes
- man to stand for both sexes, either as a separate item (man’s journey into the unknown) or a suffix (fireman)
- grammatically marked items to represent one sex (actress, conductress, career woman and male nurse), with the possible implication that the participation of the other sex is the norm
- non-parallel expressions (man and wife).
Please consider the use of gender-neutral language where this can be achieved in reasonably tidy wording and without loss of precision. This recommendation does not apply to direct quotations, the titles of works (The Ascent of Man), or where all referents are of one gender, such as in an all-female school (“If any student broke that rule, she was severely punished”).
There are a number of ways of avoiding the use of generic male and female pronouns, among which are:
- pluralizing (not “A player starts by moving his piece”, but “Players start by moving their piece”), although this can be problematic where the text needs to emphasize individuals, or where it creates a need to switch regularly between singular and plural
- using he or she (“Each politician is responsible for his or her constituency”), although this can be ungainly if repeated within a short space
- otherwise rewording (not “A pilot must keep his spacepod under control at all times; if he loses control, he must hit ‘new game’ immediately”, but “A pilot must keep the spacepod under control at all times; if that control is lost, the pilot must hit ‘new game’ immediately”)
- using the singular they (“Each politician is responsible for their constituency”). The grammatical validity of this is widely disputed, although it is widely used.
Non-neutral usage can sometimes be avoided by careful word choice; for example, by using operated or staffed (instead of manned), people or humanity (man), layperson (layman), police officer (policeman), business owners (businessmen); in these cases, ensure that the basic meaning is preserved. Where the gender is known, gender-specific items are also appropriate ("Bill Gates is a businessman" or "Nancy Pelosi is a congresswoman.")