{"id":7786,"date":"2015-12-18T11:20:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-18T11:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurologos-milano.com\/en\/?p=7786"},"modified":"2015-12-18T14:55:30","modified_gmt":"2015-12-18T14:55:30","slug":"the-weight-of-words-youre-a-male-nurse-so-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eurologos-milano.com\/en\/the-weight-of-words-youre-a-male-nurse-so-what\/","title":{"rendered":"The weight of words: you\u2019re a male nurse, so what?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having been thrown about by English-speaking academics in the few decades previously, the early 1990s saw the term \u201cpolitical correctness\u201d gradually creep into mainstream British oral and written communication. Pushing the mass media to review their editorial policies and exhibit greater sensitivity to race<\/em> and gender<\/em> bias: such a change was met unsurprisingly with substantial critique by protestors claiming that it inhibited their freedom of speech. However, in considering gender not simply as biological sex, but rather something relative, cultural and that changes over time, just like language, progressive yet subtle alterations to gender-biased words have inevitably been made over the past two decades. As 2016 approaches, we shall take a look at which words have been and gone, and which prejudiced weighty<\/em> letter combinations are hanging on in there.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod the father\u201d, \u201cstewardess\u201d and \u201cfireman\u201d have all slid out the back door\u00a0to make way for their gender-neutral successors: \u201cGod the creator\u201d; \u201cflight attendant\u201d and \u201cfire-fighter\u201d. While \u201cPoliceman\u201d has been assigned a female counterpart in \u201cpolicewoman\u201d, as have \u201cbusiness man\u201d, \u201cspokesman\u201d and \u201cwaiter\u201d. These last new recruits to the English language should be welcomed warmly, right? Wrong. They are gender-neutral wannabes<\/em>. Despite inclusive PC <\/em>intentions, assigning male or female linguistic alternatives to professional titles still <\/em>marks a gender distinction between people carrying out the same job. The English language is, after all, gender neutral, so in these circumstances, it could be\u00a0seen both unnecessary and irrelevant to draw attention to a person\u2019s biological sex.<\/p>\n

A classic controversial example of attempting to be inclusive and PC in professional language\u00a0is the \u201cmale nurse\u201d vs. \u201cnurse\u201d reference. A product of its time and culture, the definition of \u201cnurse\u201d has, up until recently, always specified a \u201cfemale\u201d figure. So today, the fore placing of \u201cmale\u201d is used either by those with an outmoded vocabulary, unaware of the changed definition of the now gender-neutral word \u201cnurse\u201d (\u201ca person<\/em> whose job is to care for people\u201d \u2013 Cambridge Dictionaries Online), or by those who view the gender distinction as necessary in such a profession. It is ultimately an undisputable fact that some women prefer to see a female nurse as opposed to a male – a difference that is therefore not gender-biased, but instead provides clarity.<\/p>\n

\"BEN<\/a><\/p>\n

In romance languages where gender distinctions are inherent in the grammar, it might seem less relevant to question gender-specific job titles than in English. However, at times, linguistic formation can automatically imply a woman\u2019s inferiority, without us even realising or acknowledging the\u00a0weight<\/em>\u00a0of our chosen word. For example in Italian, female equivalents to \u201cdottore\u201dand \u201cprofessore\u201d\u00a0adopt the suffix \u201cessa\u201d, traditionally implying \u201cwife of\u201d. This linguistically insinuates a women\u2019s subordinate professional position. Even where female job titles do exist in two gender-specific forms in Italian, such as \u201cMinistro\u201d (\u201cMinistra\u201d), the masculine form still dominates when pluralised and the female version is very often ridiculed, as in the substitution of \u201c ministra\u201d for \u201cminestra\u201d meaning \u201cvegetable soup\u201d. We should embrace gender difference both in and outside of language, but not when it is to the detriment of one of the parties concerned or when it is contextually irrelevant.<\/p>\n

\"UNESCO_A1_EN.indd\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In spite of striving for political correctness<\/em> in all means of communication,<\/em> gender biased words and phrases still litter both the English and Italian languages, for example, \u201cmadrelingua\u201d (mother tongue), \u201cpatria\u201d (fatherland), \u201cmiddleman\u201d, \u201cman the desk\u201d and \u201cno man\u2019s land\u201d to name a few. However, implementing simple changes to a language and its usage is much more complex than we might first think. Language is both a product and a reflection of its longstanding political, social and cultural identity, therefore simply erasing words could suggest a failure to acknowledge a language\u2019s delicately intertwined history and formation. In the pairing of gender and language form, biological differences have also played a key role, stemming from the woman\u2019s duty as a child barer. Linguistic evolution, though, is inevitable, and we are collectively in control of our languages. We must only remember not to be oversensitive, but to simply be aware of the weight of the words we select to express ourselves. You can choose to show linguistic awareness every day in the following ways:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Use collective pronouns. Choose \u201cone\u201d, \u201cyou\u201d or \u201ctheir\u201d instead of \u201chis\u201d or \u201cher\u201d. (We must of course acknowledge the liberal makeup of our society today, by seeking also to include transgender individuals.)<\/li>\n
  2. Be inclusive. Say \u201cpeople\u201d or \u201chumankind\u201d instead of \u201cmankind\u201d. Say \u201cfolks\u201d or \u201cfriends\u201d instead of \u201cguys\u201d.<\/li>\n
  3. Be creative. Seek other ways to express yourself when faced with irrelevant or negative gender-biased phrases or words.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you\u2019re interested in reading more on gender-biased language in English, you can take a look at some of the earliest books published (circa 1991) on the subject: \u201cThe Dictionary of Bias-Free Usage: A guide to Non-discriminatory language\u201d, \u201cThe Handbook of non-sexist writing\u201d and \u201cThe Elements of non-sexist Usage: A guide to inclusive spoken and written English\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Having been thrown about by English-speaking academics in the few decades previously, the early 1990s saw the term \u201cpolitical correctness\u201d gradually creep into mainstream British oral and written communication. 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