Kris Angeli S.

Sanchez BS BIOLOGY IV July 9, 2013

201058560 English2-S3

On Sexism in English

Are men and women equal in the society? This is a common question you’re going to

face if you were taking a gender related course.

If we look around us today, sex is everywhere. And if we look closer, we would further

see the undying issue of inequality that men were always dominant than women. In television

commercials, soap operas, music videos, songs and magazines, men were always portrayed to

be strong, masculine, someone who can lead and have the power to do everything. On the

other hand, women were often portrayed limitedly as to being weak, feminine, dependent, and

someone who stays at home and takes care of the family. Now, if you already have an answer

in the question above, you’ll then be asked of evidences which support your answer.

Evidences on sexism can be found all over. One interesting proof I just recently found

was on the use of English language. In a dictionary study conducted by Alleen Pace Nilsen

entitled “Sexism in English: Embodiment and Language” she has established three main points.

Her points were women are sexy and men are successful, women are passive and men are

active, and women are connected with negative connotations and men with positive

connotations.

Nilsen pointed out that in American culture men and women were valued differently.

Women were valued for her attractiveness and sexiness of her body while men for his physical
strength and accomplishments. This is why the eponyms, words that have come from

someone’s name, she found coming from women’s names were less than one-fifth of the

men’s. One amusing example of eponyms Nilsen found was name of a range of mountains

called “The Teats”. It was named as such because of its similarity between the shape of the

mountain and women’s breast. Most of the men’s eponyms were named so after their

accomplishment such as Bartlett pear, Franklin stove and Ferris wheel.

Before, names of respectable women were listed in the dictionary as “Mrs. Husband’s

name” form whether or not they contributed as to why the women got recognized. This is

because women are expected to play a passive or weak role while men play an active or strong

role. For unmarried women, they were usually addressed as Ms. (Miss) and for married women

it was Mrs. (Mistress). Now in the twenty-first century, many women even after marriage would

prefer to still use their maiden name instead of using their husband’s name.

When we encounter the word wizard, we would then think of maybe, Harry Potter, one

with skill and wisdom combined with magic. However when we hear the feminine counterpart

witch, we would then imagine just any old women with long hair, fierce-look and one with evil

intentions combined with magic. This is Nilsen’s third and last point; women are connected

with negative connotations and men with positive connotations.

So maybe, right from the start there was really inequality over men and women.

However, awareness in things related to sexism such as some of the English language will help

us to be more sensitive and particular to the words we use in our speech. Thus, we are trying to

lessen the inequality. #