Gender-neutral or gender inclusive language

Situations in which we should use gender inclusive language:

- when referring to gender-fluid/non-binary/etc. people

- when referring to men and women in general

Why?

- for political correctness and gender equality

Sex= biologically assigned at birth, binary

Gender= can be different than the biological sex, is a spectrum (more than 2), individual concept of
oneself

 We need to be aware of gender-neutral language – language that includes all genders.

E.g. Someone who addresses a group of men and women as “businessmen” is excluding a part of the
audience. Showing more sensitivity, the speaker would use an inclusive term such as “business
professionals” or “executives.” It is important to write inclusively – to use language which includes
everyone – in order to be precise and understood.

 A generic term is an all-purpose, gender-free, inclusive word.

E.g. Humankind (not mankind), spokesperson (not spokesman), them (not he or she)

How to avoid gendering of all kinds?

PERSONAL PRONOUNS

1. Use the plural instead of singular in the case of pronouns

 they/them instead of he or she
2. Use the dual singular pronouns he/she, she/he, him/her, her/him
3. Use the blend s/he (read ‘she or he’)

E.g. A person who lives in the countryside has many advantages. He can enjoy daily walks and enjoy
fresh air. He can live a healthy life and meet with his friends. (NO)

A person who lives in the country has many advantages. They can enjoy daily walks and enjoy fresh air.
They can live a healthy life and meet with his friends. (YES)

A person who lives in the country has many advantages. He/she can enjoy daily walks and enjoy fresh
air. He/she can live a healthy life and meet with his friends. (YES)

A person who lives in the country has many advantages. S/he can enjoy daily walks and enjoy fresh air.
S/he can live a healthy life and meet with his friends. (YES)
HONORIFICS

 Mr. (Mister) - is used for all men. Does not denote marital status or age.
 Miss – Is used for young or unmarried women.
 Mrs. (Missus) – refers to married women.

To avoid gender inequality (why should the marital status of women matter after all?), we should use:

 Mr. (Mister)
 Ms. /mɪz/ - for of address for women regardless of their marital status and/or age

GENDER AWARENESS AND VOCABULARY

businessman/businesswoman -> businessperson

chairman/chairwoman -> chair person / chair

congressman -> member of congress / congress person

craftsman -> artisan

deliveryman –> courier

fireman -> firefighter

freshman -> first year student

Frenchman -> French person

mailman -> mail carrier

mankind -> humanity/humankind/ human race

spokesman/spokeswoman -> spokesperson

policeman -> police officer/officer

manpower-> human resources