Why we have to avoid sexist language, English

Assignment Help:

Avoid Sexist Language

The "he or she" problem

Most composition theorists now agree that it's unacceptable to use masculine nouns and pronouns to refer to the whole human race. A sentence like "Man's hunger for knowledge has always distinguished him from other animals" may technically include women, but do you really "see" a woman in your mind as you're reading it? Since women are just as hungry for knowledge as men, it's important to include them.

Of course, using terms that include both genders can become awkward. One of the biggest problems arises when you are trying to discuss a group of people using a singular representative. Take the following lines, for example:

When writing for a magazine, the writer should find out as much about his or her readers as he or she can. He or she should research the magazine's subscriber base, to learn what writing style he or she will have to use.

This is obviously clumsy. However, such problems don't mean that you should revert to calling the writer "he." Using "they" to refer to a singular noun is becoming more common (as in "the writer should find out about their readers") but is still technically incorrect.

 


Related Discussions:- Why we have to avoid sexist language

Novel kidnaped, in novel kiddnaped who is mr champbell and what does he ad...

in novel kiddnaped who is mr champbell and what does he advised david

The Benefits of Walking, I want to know how do I start off writing a descri...

I want to know how do I start off writing a descriptive narrative essay on walking in my introduction

How to write college application essay, College Application Essay Why a...

College Application Essay Why are they making me do this? Writing the personal essay for college applications can be an agonizing experience. Many people aren't comfortable

Explain the meaning of adjectives, Explain the meaning of Adjectives   Wha...

Explain the meaning of Adjectives   What does it mean to "modify" a word?   Modifiers are words that add information to the sentence base. The word modify means "to change" or "

Demon in the freezer, Book Review: “The Demon in the Freezer”, by Richard P...

Book Review: “The Demon in the Freezer”, by Richard Preston paper review Use 14 pt. font, Veranda size 14 font, spaced at 1.5 lines You will critique the book for us in a minimum l

Explain progressive verb forms, Explain Progressive Verb Forms How do I s...

Explain Progressive Verb Forms How do I show actions in progress? The six tenses (present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect) can also be used in

What is censorship, Censorship The First Amendment states Congress shal...

Censorship The First Amendment states Congress shall make no law. . . abridging freedom of speech, or of the press. . .With rare exceptions, the First Amendment allows the medi

Definition Essay, Ask question #Minimum 100 words acWrite a 1,500-1,750-wor...

Ask question #Minimum 100 words acWrite a 1,500-1,750-word essay using five to seven academic resources in which you argue that a contested “case” involving the sale, trade, or don

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd