Tags
communication, gender, gender equality, Gender inclusive language, linguistics, privilege, pronouns, speech
What has Aidyn Sevilla been up to since January? They’re writing now for The Elephant Space at http://www.makeroomforelephants.com! If you like what you read on Journey of Peace, you should IMMEDIATELY visit Elephant Space and subscribe and share!
As a teaser, here’s a post http://wp.me/p4n2ZT-bS
And an excerpt!
Gender inclusive language is small linguistic moves that recognize both men and women as having equal standing and participation in any given situation. It exists in contrast to gender exclusive language that tends to favor male identified individuals.
One of the clearest examples of gender inclusive language is how a writer/speaker refers to the Human race. Historically, writers and speakers have referred to ‘man’ or ‘mankind’ when speaking of both men and women. Gender inclusive language would refer to ‘humankind’ or ‘people’ or may even take the time to write or say ‘men and women.’
A second example of gender inclusive language is use of pronouns. Again, historically, when a writer or speaker, perhaps in a textbook or lecture, referred to a theoretical or anonymous person, they would refer to ‘he’ or ‘him.’ And if we knew they were specifically talking about a male, that would be fine, but if we don’t know, and if the writer/speaker is talking about something universal and non-gender exclusive, then, very subtly, an entire gender is left out.
Therefore, when referring to a person of unknown gender in a context where gender doesn’t matter, in stead of using ‘he’ or ‘him,’ one may use ‘they’ or ‘them,’ which is now grammatically correct when referring to both individuals and groups.
Some others have begun to alternate between referring both to ‘he’ and ‘him’ as well as ‘she’ and ‘her.’ This is also acceptable in that it recognizes a women’s capacity to exist independently of a man.
That is, briefly, what Gender Inclusive Language is. But why bother?
To learn reasons why Gender Inclusive Language is important, read the whole post at The Elephant Space!!!
Journey of Peace 