GENDER-FAIR

LANGUAGE

REPORT/DISCUSSION

By

DE CASTRO, DAVE CEDRIC

LOOC, ARJHAY CHRIS
ANGOS, JOSHUA
QUINALAGAN, KIM VINCENT

INSTRUCTOR
JEAN CARLA NATIVIDAD VISITACION
INTRODUCTION
In our ever-evolving society, the way we communicate holds immense
power, shaping perceptions and influencing attitudes. Gender fair language
embodies the principle of inclusivity, recognizing and respecting individuals
regardless of their gender identity.

Gender fair language acknowledges the diversity of human experiences and

strives to eliminate bias, stereotypes, and discrimination in communication.
It promotes equality by ensuring that both men and women are represented
accurately and respectfully in language usage. By choosing words and
phrases that are inclusive and neutral, gender fair language is an
environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

In essence, gender fair language is not merely a linguistic exercise but a

reflection of our commitment to equality, dignity, and respect for all
individuals. It is a powerful tool for building a more inclusive and equitable
society, where every voice is heard and every person is seen.

SIMPLE CONTEXT OF GENDER-FAIR LANGUAGE

• The gender-fair language was made with the intention of reducing or

avoiding gender stereotyping and discrimination.

• Journalistic writing should treat/ write males and females equally with
gender neutral language/pronouns.

KEY CONCEPTS

 LANGUAGE
 GENDER
 GENDER-LANGUAGE CONNECTION

What is Language?
 A potent tool for how humans understand and participate in the world.
 Language defines men and women differently as seen in common
adjectives associated with these genders.

What is gender?
 Refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and
attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for individuals
based on their perceived or assigned sex.

what is gender language connection?

The gender-language connection refers to the relationship between
language and the expression, perception, and reinforcement of gender
roles, stereotypes, and identities. This connection can manifest in various
ways, including the use of gendered pronouns, linguistic features that
encode gender distinctions, and societal expectations of language use based
on gender norms.

VIOLATIONS OF GENDER- FAIR LANGUAGE

 Sexist language
 Sex-role stereotypes
 Microaggressions
 Sexual harassment
 Invisibilization of Women

What is Sexist languages

 Reinforces ideas that women are inferior to men

 Grants men more power and higher social status

 Women should be subjects to moral standards differently

"NATURE OF SEXISM IS AMBIVALENT"

 Hostile sexism
 Justifies men's power and dominance

 Benevolent sexism
 women are portrayed pure and warm
 helpless and incompetent
 men's power through paternalistic affection

Where is sexist language found?

• In mixed-gender interaction
• Single or same sex interaction
• In inter-racial interaction
• In same-race interaction

Sexist language can be:

 Verbal cues

 Non-verbal cues
 more averted eye gaze
 more leaning away-Smiles and laugh
Where is sexist language found?
 In mixed-gender interaction
 Single or same sex interaction
 In inter-racial interaction
 In same-race interaction

How did sexism become present in languages

• The way gender is encoded in a language may be associated with societal
gender roles
• Habits guide speakers' linguistic behavior without being aware of it

Understanding further

 The harmful impact of sexism can be

worse for some women and men due to
their ethnicity, age, disability, social
origin, religion, gender identity, sexual
orientation or other factors.

Overlapping or intersecting social

identities and related systems of
oppression, domination, or
discrimination

Sexist language can be:

• Unsolicited comments on some one else's body, age, skin color, disability,
religion, SOGIE

• Insults masquerading as
 jokes rape jokes and sex jokes

• Devaluing women's and LGBTIQ individuals' views or voice

 Comments that denote double standards

• Role stereotyping

• Unmerited gender labelling

 Calling female employees sexy, "good girl," "darling," "sweetie," "babe,"
etc.

KINDS OF SEXIST LANGUAGE

 INVISIBILIZATION OF WOMEN

1. The generic use of masculine pronouns or the use of a masculine general.

The use of the word "mankind" assumes that men are representative of all
people on this planet.

Example:
Saying "guys" when referring to a mixed- gender

2. The assumption that certain functions or jobs are performed by men

instead of both genders
Examples:
"The farmers and their wives tilled the land"
"The politicians and their wives lobbied for change"

3.The use of male job titles or terms ending in man to refer to functions that
may be given to both genders
Examples:
"Businessman"
"Chairman"
"Policeman"

USE OF GENETIC MASCULINE

 The singular masculine pronouns “he”, “his”, “him

TRIVIALIZATION OF WOMEN

1. Bringing attention to the gender a person, if that person is a woman

Example:
"Lady guard"
"Girl athlete"
"Male nurse"

2. The perception of women as immature.

Example:
Women being labeled as "darling" or "baby". making them appear childlike
or juvenile.

3. The objectification, or likening to objects, of women

Example:
By being called "honey" "chick", ог sweets, women become devalued
especially in an environment that merits formality

FOSTERING UNEQUAL GENDER RELATIONS

 Lack of parallelism
-man and wife, men and ladies

 Use of terms that call attention to person's sex in designating occupations

- delivery boys, motherhood, female engineers, female architects,
male nurse, male OB-Gyne, female soldier, male lawyer

Gender polarization of word in use of adjectives

 Gender polarization states that societies tend to define femininity and
masculinity as polar opposite genders, such that male-acceptable
behaviors and attitudes are not seen as appropriate for women, and vice
versa.
 Polarization of adjectives shows how perceptions does change how one
sees certain acts, depending on who performs them.
Hidden assumption
 Hidden assumption in sentences can also be forms of micro- aggression if
the underlying perceptions are SEXIST and DEGRADING

LANGUAGE WHICH DISPARAGES AND MARGINALIZES WOMEN OR

PERSONS OF ANOTHER GENDER

SEXIST LANGUAGE USED BY FILIPINO

Babae kasi! E kasi lalaki!

•Chicks • Aagila
• Babe • Big daddy
• Baby doll • Hayop sa galing
• Landi
• Na ano lang
• Second hand

FILIPINOS NEED TO STOP SAYING THESE:

FILIPINOS NEED TO STOP SAYING THSE

IYAKIN

BAKIT KALALAKI
TAKOT SA
MAHIN- MONG INJECTION
HIN KA TAO
 SAYANG SYA ANG GWAPO PA NAMAN, PERO BAKLA
 DAPAT TIGASIN KA!
 DI NAMAN IKAW ANG NAKAPALDA,PERO BAKIT IKAW ANG TAGA LABA?
 BAKIT ANG LAMBOT NG BEWANG MO KAPAG NAGLALAKAD KA?

SOGIE- BASED DISCRIMINATION

 Did you know that more than 80 million Filipinos are not protected by
any anti- discrimination legislation?

THE GUIDES AND AIMS OF GENDE-FAIR LANGUAGE

KEY PRINCIPLE OF GENDER-FAIR LANGUAGE

1.Recognise and challenge STEREOTYPES
2. Be inclusive and avoid OMISSION and making others INVISIBLE.
3. Be respectful and avoid TRIVIALIZATION and SUBORDINATION

The need for Gender Fair Language

• As a response to structural asymmetry

• Aims at reducing gender stereotyping and discrimination
• Through Neutralization and Feminization

BEING AN ALLY
GLAAD-GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION
GLAAD TIPS FOR ALLIES

1. Don't assume anyone's SOGIE

2. Respect the label that Gender Non- Conforming (GNC) uses to describe
their identity
3. If you don't know what name or pronouns to use, listen first, then ask
4. Don't ask a transgender and/or Gender Non- Conforming (GNC) person
what their legal name is, and don't ask them about their genitalia, surgical
status, or sex life
5. Understand that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to transition and that
it is different for every person.
6. Be careful about confidentiality, disclosure, and "outing"
7. Educate yourself and understand the differences between transgender
people and LGB people
8. Avoid backhanded compliments and "helpful" tips
9. Challenge anti-women and anti-LGBTIQ remarks or "jokes" in public
spaces

10. Support causes and issues important to

women and LGBTIQ I individuals, such as all-
gender or trans-inclusive toilets and anti- discrimination and harassment
policies
11. Help make your company or group inclusive and gender transformative
12. Be a "safe space" for women and LGBTIQ
13. Listen!
14. Know your limits as an ally
15. Treat women and LGBTIQ employees-and every other employee-with
respect and without bias