In this article Laurel Richardson, a sociologist and writer in the field, describes six examples of how the English language portrays women as inferior. The first example is that women are not seen separately of men. The word "he" or "man" is used to describe both men and women in a group setting. An example of this is "one small step for mankind". Therefore, when people read examples like this men are almost always envisioned. The second example is that many pronouns are gender specific. Words such as nurse and secretary are always associated with women and lawyer and doctor are associated with men. We also are taught to associate weak words like small and graceful as feminine and words such as strong and powerful with men. There is motivation by some to make the language more neutral by using phrases such as police officer instead of policeman but the language is still far from being unbiased. The third example is that men are infrequently called "boy" unless they are young or are being ridiculed but women of all ages are referred to as girl. Women of all ages have "girls night out" but one never hears of a boy's night out.
The next example is that women are defined in terms of their
sexual desirability to men whereas men are defined in terms of
their sexual "prowess" over women. Slang words for women
include "chick" and "broad" whereas men are
referred to as "stud" or "hunk". The language
reinforces the expectations in females and males as sexual objects
and performers. Neutral words --it's easy, he's easy, she's easy--
can become sexual when applied to women. The first shows that
something that one does is easy. The second refers to people
that are easy such as teachers but the third generally refers
to a woman being a slut. The fifth example is the way women are
defined in terms of their relation to men whereas men are defined
in their relation to the world at large. The example given was
the difference between the meaning of master and mistress. Master
is a positive term given to men when they are good at something
whereas a mistress is a "bad girl". The last example
is that many neutral words that are feminine are now being used
derogatorily. Words such as mother are being added to swear words
to change their meanings. Richardson thinks this is another way
women are brought down in society and made to feel inferior.
Richardson looks at the English language as another way females are put at a lower status. Language is extremely influential on people. We learn much of what we know through reading, writing, and other forms of communication. Richardson goes through examples of how the English language has given males superiority over women and how it has affected all of us. There is definitely a problem with the language when (in her example) ten year old children are saying that it is dumb to have female postmen. The problem is even bigger when (in her example) beginning anthropology students believe that all shamans (witch doctors) are males because it says "he" in their textbook. Language socializes women to feel inferior and in the process we are all taught this.
Many people might argue that language is only one way we are socialized. Unfortunately when it comes down to it language is crucial in our lives Everything we do involves some form of communication and words are almost always used. I do agree with some critics that just changing the language is not going to change people's views of women as being inferior. What more can we expect from people who have been taught these views for ages? I think we, as a society, are also responsible to change the attitudes of people who use the English language to downgrade women. Not only do we need to revise the language but we also need to teach people how to use it in a wiser manner. I think this can start with the media and from other influential sources that cater to a large and varied audience. If people start seeing men treating women with respect and not hearing the words women are called, we can start the process of changing people's attitudes and views.
One problem I believe we have with changing the language to being more neutral is that we are just not used to it. Instead of writing he you would be required to write he/she which is more time consuming and a little awkward. We need to get used to including both genders when we talk so it will become more natural.
Richardson also makes the point that women do not have a separate identity from men. We are either their wife, their sexual objects or just part of the word "man". Our identity comes from men and we are shaped through what he wants. Richardson gives the example of studies done that showed when women were referred to as "man" they felt a greater sense of power and prestige. This is one of the many consequences of our sexist language. Women wanting to be more like men to gain the higher ranking. Women should be able to feel good about being female and use it to their advantage.
© Becky Novotny, Winona (MN) State University, 30 January 1997. This document may be freely distributed for educational use as long as this notice of its authorship accompanies its distribution.
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