CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

CHAPTER I

____________________________________________________

Recognize the importance of language sensitivity


Determine communicative situations that require
the use of sensitive language.
____________________________________________________

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 CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

LANGUAGE SENSITIVITY

Language shapes thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes and plays a very crucial role in
promoting awareness and consciousness when communicating. Thus, language is one of the
many factors affecting communication. It may hindrance the decoding and encoding process. In
this case, language sensitivity may take part because all languages are unique having their own
characteristics. Language sensitivity in communication means one is having the awareness of
the uniqueness and individuality of the language being used. It is also defined as the use of
respectful, supportive and caring words in consideration of the context or setting and the
recipient (Aycock, 2017).

This topic includes discussions on gender fair language and political sensitive language.
Under the topic gender fair language; neutral expressions, plurality of nouns, and avoiding
stereotyping will be given focus. While political sensitive language includes taboos, avoiding
racism and political awareness.

Generally, at the end of the lesson you should be able to:

1. Recognize the importance of language sensitivity; and

2. Determine communicative situations that require the use of sensitive language.

LESSON 1 Gender Fair Language

INTRODUCTION

The government is promoting equality among men and women even in the use of the
language. The Republic Act 9710 known as “Magna Carta of Women” supports and reinforces
the use of gender – sensitive language at all times because recognizing the use of gender fair
language is the first benchmark of gender sensitivity. By observing the use of gender fair
language, misunderstanding could be avoided in all settings of communication. Courteousness
and respect are eminent in all sorts of communication.

Specifically, this topic will be after the attainment of the following objectives:

1. Recognize gender fair language in different communication situations;

2. Identify neutral expressions;

3. Determine the plurality of gender fair nouns; and

4. Use gender fair language to avoid stereotyping.

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 CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

MOTIVATION

What can you say about the pictures?

Shit! You’ve put

Oh dear! You’ve put
the peanut butter in
the peanut butter in
the fridge again ! the fridge again!

INPUT

Gender fair language refers to the language used with the intention of reducing gender
bias in one’s mental representation or mental understanding of an idea. In most cases, it can be
applied in the use of nouns, pronouns, role nouns and possessive pronouns.

A. Neutral Expressions

These are expressions using languages that avoid bias toward a particular sex or social
gender. In English, this includes use of nouns that are not gender specific to refer to roles or
professions as well as avoidance of pronouns he, him and his to refer to people of unknown or
indeterminate gender.

Examples:

1. Traditional: feelings of brotherhood, feelings of fraternity

Suggestion: feelings of kinship, solidarity

2. Traditional: the founding fathers

Suggestion: the founders, the founding leaders

3. Traditional: the Father of Relativity Theory

Suggestion: the Founder of Relativity Theory

4. Traditional: Don’t let Mother Nature rip you!

Suggestion: Don’t let Nature rip you!

5. Traditional: sportsmanship
Suggestion: highest ideals of fair play

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B. Plurality of Nouns

Mostly nouns follow different rules regarding pluralisation depending on what letter a
noun ends. Most singular nouns are made plural by simply putting an –s at the end. Irregular
nouns do not follow plural noun rules, so they must be memorized or looked up in the
dictionary. But for gender fair language it does not mean the same way.

1. Role References

Singular ( Biased) Plural ( Bias Free)

alumni graduates
chairman, chairwoman chair, chairpersons
committee man, committee woman committee members
corporate wife corporate spouses
faculty wife faculty spouses
freshman first- year students
hostess hosts
housewife, househusband homemakers
middle man go- between
spokesman spokespersons, representatives

2. Group References

Singular (Biased) Plural ( Bias Free)

brother hood kinship, community
common man common persons, average persons
countryman compatriots
fatherland native land
fellowship camaraderie
forefathers ancestors, forebears
fraternal warm, intimate
man, mankind humankinds, humanity, humans
mother tongue native language
rise of man

3. Occupational References

Singular (Bias ) Plural ( Bias Free)

businessman, businesswoman business executives, entrepreneurs
career woman professional, managers, executives
cleaning lady cleaners
girl Friday clerks, office assistants, receptionists
insurance man insurance agents
landlady, landlord proprietors, building managers
mailman mail carriers, letter carriers
newsman journalists, reporters
policeman/policewoman police officers
serviceman service representatives
steward, stewardess flight attendants/cabin crew
waitress waiters, servers
delivery boy couriers, messengers

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C. Avoiding Stereotyping

Stereotype is defined as fixed, over generalized belief about a particular group or class
of people (Cardwell, 1996). While stereotyped language is any that assumes a stereotype about
a group of people. When avoiding stereotyped, do not provide information about people’s
gender.

1. Personal Title

Derogatory ( bias ) Better language ( biased free)

Bossy or pushy Assertive

Loose sexually confident
Emotional or hormonal Passionate, enthusiastic
Ditzy Silly
Frigid Lacking sexual responsiveness
Frumpy Dowdy and old fashioned
Irresponsible Level- headed
Hysterical Irrational
arrogant dependable
whore A lover of either sex
Devil Mischievous

2. Work Title

Derogatory ( bias ) Better language ( biased free)

Change catalyst Business executive

Erection Engineer Manufacturing Plant position
Hooker Cable yarding systems
Knob head Transportation position
Cased Hole Log Analysis Specialist Oil/ Energy position
Dreams fulfiller Financial services
Hostess Female host
Creatologist Professional coaching service
GRO Guest Relation Officer

Gender is a social and cultural construct; and it refers to a societal role, not one’s
assigned sex. If possible, avoid the use of combination forms he/she, as well as the use of
pronouns he/him/his. Instead, use plural nouns or pronouns (they, them, or their) or see chart
below for newer pronouns being adopted.

TERMS MEANING
Agender Those whose gender identity does not align with any gender.
Ally – The term for an individual who is not necessarily a member of particular
group (e.g., LGBTQ+), but supports that group’s human rights and
promotes equality and inclusion in various ways.

Androgynous – A person who does not identify or present as solely feminine nor
masculine.
Asexual – An adjective describing the individual with no desire or interest in being
sexually active.

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Biphobia – the fear or hatred of bisexual individuals.

Bigender – a term associated with someone identifying as both man and woman.

Bisexual – An individual attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity.

Cisgender – A term denoting a person whose gender identity aligns with their
assigned sex.
Closeted – Someone who is not disclosing their true sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Coming Out – The process through which a person acknowledges and accepts their
sexual orientation or gender identity and shares this with others.
Cross-dresser – A person wearing clothing stereotypically worn by the other sex, but has
no intention to live full-time as the other sex.
Drag King – Female performers who dress as men for entertainment at clubs and
events.
Drag Queen – Male performers who dress as women for entertainment at clubs and
events.
FTM – A person transitioning from female to male.
Gay – An individual who is emotionally, sexually and/or romantically attracted
to members of the same gender.
Gender – One’s identity as man, woman or neither man nor woman. Gender is
socially and culturally constructed roles, behaviours and attributes
considered appropriate for males and females in a given society and is
often based on one’s assigned sex at birth.
Gender dysphoria – Prolonged state of distress caused by one being uncomfortable
identifying with the gender related to their assigned sex at birth. For
instance, one can be born male, but is not comfortable identifying as a
man.
Gender expression – The way a person exhibits their gender identity through behaviour,
clothing, and hairstyle.
Gender fluid - A term depicting a person who does not identify with a single gender.
Gender identity – One’s concept of self as woman, man, blend of both, as two-spirit, or
neither. One’s gender identity may not be the same as one’s assigned sex.
Gender non-conforming – A term for individuals whose gender identity does not fit into the
societal expectations related to their assigned sex at birth.
Gender queer – Individuals who identify as neither entirely male nor entirely female.
Gender transition – The process a person goes through to live as the gender with which they
identify, which is different from their assigned sex at birth.
Heterosexism – The perception that heterosexuality is superior to other sexual
orientations.
Homophobia – the fear or hatred of people attracted to members of the same sex.
Homosexual – An adjective ascribed to individuals sexually attracted to individuals of
the same sex. This term is now seen as out-dated and offensive. Gay
man/person/lesbian are preferred.
Intersex – “A term used for people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy
and/or chromosome pattern that does not seem to fit typical definitions
of male or female.” (Transgender Terminology Document)
Lesbian – A woman who is physically, sexually and/or emotionally attracted to
another woman or female-gendered person.
MTF – A person transitioning from male to female.
Non-binary gender – Any gender that falls outside of the binary system of man/woman.
Outing – Exposing someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation without that
individual’s permission.
Queer – Although historically used as a negative term, queer is more commonly
being used by the ‘Rainbow Community’ as an inclusive term to refer to

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lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and transgender people.

Rainbow Community – The multicolored rainbow flag was adopted in 1978 in San Francisco by
the LGBTQ+ communities as a symbol of pride, solidarity, and the diversity
of the gay community. The colours symbolize life (red), healing (orange),
sunlight (yellow), nature (green), harmony/peace (blue), and spirit (purple
violet).
Sex – Classification of a person as male, female or intersex based on their
reproductive organs and functions. Biological and physiological
characteristics that define humans as female or male.
Sexual Orientation – A term describing a person’s attraction to members of other or same
sex.
Sex reassignment – Medical procedure altering one’s physical appearance to further reflect
surgery one’s gender identity.
To be out – To be open about your sexual orientation and/or your gender identity.
Transgender - An overarching term for individuals whose gender identity or expression
differs from societal expectations of the sex they were assigned at birth.
“Trans” is a shorthand for “transgender”.
Transgender man – The term for a transgender individual who identifies as a man (or whose
gender identity is of a man) and was assigned female at birth.
Transgender woman – The term for a transgender individual who identifies as a woman (or
whose gender identity is of a woman) and was assigned male at birth.
Transphobia – The fear or hatred of transgender individuals.
Transsexual – The term for a person whose gender identity is different from the
assigned sex at birth, and who may alter his/her/their body through
clothing, cosmetics, hormones and in some cases surgery to be more in
line with their gender identity.
Two-Spirit – The term used in some First Nations communities to describe person
whose individual spirit is a combination of both male and female spirits.
(Information from University of Calgary, 2017)

APPLICATION

Fill in the table with different gender fair language.

Neutral Observed Plurality of Stereotyped

Expressions Nouns Language

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ASSESSMENT

A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer that best corresponds your
answer.

1. What is the best way to make a sentence more gender- neutral?

a. use more adjectives
b. use plural nouns and pronouns

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c. stop using sentences altogether

2. As a general rule, what is the best way to refer to Maria Smith by her title? Maria is not a
doctor or
a professor.
a. Ms. Maria Smith
b. Mrs. Maria Smith
c. That woman over there
3. Choose which sentence is more gender neutral for shouting at times of threatened
extinction.
a. “We must act immediately, or humankind is doomed!”
b. “We must act immediately, or you are doomed!”
c. “Hmmm, perhaps we should save the men….”
4. Choose the most gender – neutral word to complete this informal sentence: Anyone
attending the party must organize _________ own transport.
a. her b. his c. their
5. Choose a more gender- neutral word from the list of words for policeman.
a. male officer b. men in uniform c. police officer

B. Revise the following sentences to eliminate the bias.

1. Each laboratory assistant must perform the experiment at least once before he teaches it
to the class.

2. The female lawyer conceded that her client was no Mother Teresa.

3. The priest asked, “Are you ready to love and honor each other as man and wife for the
rest of your lives?”

4. My grandparents’ days consist of waiting by the window for someone to come up the
walk – whether friend, mailman or salesman.

5. No matter how busy he is, a pilot should take time to thank the stewardess at the end of
every flight.

ENRICHMENT

Make a comic strip showing the conversation of two nurses in a ward about the COVID ’19
using gender fair language.

LESSON 2 Political Sensitive Language

INTRODUCTION

Language sensitivity is very important to understand because sometimes it's the choice of
words that can be piercing than swords. (Chandra, 2017, p.1)

The way people write, along with the way people speak, is constantly evolving. Although at
times there may be debate over the degree to which language should be reined in to consider
of the sensitivities of various groups, a consensus has emerged in recent decades that the
language we use in communicating with the public should be inclusive and free of bias.
(Language Matters: The Importance of Sensitivity in Writing-Part 1, 2013, p.1)

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 CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

In many situations, one should be very particular in using words and addressing others not
to hurt or offend someone may it be our friends, co-workers, persons in authority. This is the
idea behind political sensitive language.

Political sensitive language “reflects awareness and sensitivity to another person’s physical,
mental, cultural, or other disadvantages or deviations from a norm; a person is not mentally
retarded, but rather mentally challenged; a person is not obese but rather has an eating
disorder, etc.” (Politically Sensitive, (n.d., p.1)

In this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Identify some taboos in language;

2. Use words correctly to avoid racism; and

3. Apply political correctness in everyday conversation.

MOTIVATION

Do you know the correct way of addressing them? How do you call or address these
persons?

Picture A Picture B Picture C

INPUT

Political sensitive language covers the sensitive issues on taboo words, language of racism
and how to avoid them, and politically correct words.

A. Taboos

Word taboo, also called taboo language, language taboo or linguistic taboo is a kind
of taboo that involves restricting the use of words or other parts of language due to social
constraints.

Simply, these are words not acceptable, prohibited and forbidden in a certain group or
culture.

Also, this refers to words and phrases that are generally considered inappropriate in
certain contexts.

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Social anthropologist Edmund Leach identified three major categories of taboo words
and phrases in English:
1. "Dirty" words that are concerned with sex and excretion, such as “fuck”, "bugger”, and "shit."
2. Words that have to do with the Christian religion, such as "Christ" and "Jesus” (especially when used
in cursing)
3. Words which are used in "animal abuse" (calling a person by the name of an animal), such as "bitch,"
"cow." (Nordquist,2018,p.1)

B. Avoiding Racism

Language is very powerful. The things being said and done to someone or a group of
individuals can harm and affect them in many ways possible. A single word if
inappropriately used can be painful. This is what you call language racism.

Racism occurs when someone exhibits and uses words that stereotype or represent
someone or a certain class or race. For example, when a white or fair-skinned person calls
black individual “nigger, dirty, trash, slave, and charcoal,” it is a kind of racism in language.
Basically, these words are negative and one should avoid using them. To understand
better, expressions like oriental or china man are offensive for Chinese in the U.S. They
prefer to be called as Chinese people. (Stempleski, n.d.)

C. Political Correctness

“Political correctness” is the process of speaking without offending anyone. (Longley,

2019, p.1) Moreover, Longley, stated that “it refers to language that avoids offending
persons of various genders, races, sexual orientation, cultures, or social conditions.
One of the goals of political correctness is the elimination of verbal discrimination and
negative stereotyping.
The following images have the examples of what is said to be words observing political
correctness.

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 CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

Preferred Problematic
The average person, people in general The average man
Ancestors Forefathers
Assigned sex Biological sex
Chairperson, chair, moderator, Chairman
discussion leader
Humankind Mankind
Spouse, partner Wife, husband
Workforce, personnel, workers, staff Manpower
Bi-racial people, multi-racial individuals Mixed race people, mulatto
Use specific name of the country, not the Using the name of the continent and
continent e.g. Nigerian vs African not the name of the country
Asian people, Asian Canadian individuals Orientals
Western Asian, Northern African people Arabs
White people, European Canadians Caucasian
(Both tables above are retrieved from University of Calgary, 2017)

The movement for political correctness has both supporters and critics. This makes it a
good topic for discussions, debates, and other exercises in critical thinking skills. Below are
several topics for further investigation or discussion. They may not be familiar or appropriate
for all settings, but they may help teachers think of politically correct issues that would be
relevant to their students.

1. Terms referring to racial, ethnic, or indigenous groups of people. Sensitivity toward race and
ethnicity is also reflected in language changes that have been motivated by political
correctness. For example, in most common usage today Asian has replaced Oriental. However,
there is not always universal agreement or understanding about which terms are favored,
polite, or neutral in a particular setting. For example, some people prefer to use the term
Native American while others prefer American Indian, and still others prefer First Americans.
Have your students design and conduct a survey of their classmates, neighbors, and friends
who represent various racial and ethnic groups to collect information about this issue. Then,
they can report their findings to the class.

2. Terms used to disguise unpleasantness. In an attempt to mask the truth or to hide

unpleasant realities, governments or other special interest groups sometimes create
euphemisms or expressions to put a more positive light on a situation. If blind sounds offensive,
substitute visually challenged. Genocide may be referred to as ethnic cleansing. Sometimes, the
new terms seem awkward, funny, or even offensive. Again, there is unlikely to be agreement on
whether such terms are good or not. Consider this opinion from Dr. Kenneth Jernigan (1999), a
leader for more than 40 years in the National Federation of the Blind in the United States:

3. Political correctness in languages other than English. Politically correct changes are also
occurring in languages other than English as a reflection of growing tolerance, inclusion, and
other changes in modern societies. Ask your students: What examples of politically correct
speech can you identify in the native languages of your classmates or community? Have
students create a list of examples.

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 CHAPTER 1 Language Sensitivity

APPLICATION

A. Which of the expressions use taboo language? Encircle the number.

1. Yawa! My cellphone freeze.

2. You are a piece of shit!

3. I love UA.

4. You’re son of a bitch!

5. You are acting like a kid.

B. Cite at least 5 phrases/words or actions that are considered taboo in our Filipino culture.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

C. Encircle the word or group of words which are politically incorrect and write the correct
word or group of words beside it.

Here is a conversation of George and Juliet.

George: Hello, my friend. Have you heard about the issue with the chairman of the board?

Juliet: No, what is it all about? I am busy talking to the server in the canteen when the news is
presented.

George: Well, most of the best men for the job are clamoring about their salary.

Juliet: Specifically, who are they?

George: They are the fireman, police officers, waiter, and stewardess.

Juliet: Oh, I feel sad for them. By the way, I have now my class. Bye!

George: Bye!

ASSESSMENT

Write a sample conversation with a friend about the ABS-CBN shutdown. Observe the
following: Non-use of taboo language, non-use of racist words, and most importantly, the use
of politically sensitive language.

ENRICHMENT

Interview some persons in the neighborhood about their awareness and use of
expressions using politically sensitive language. Record the interview.

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