Are we conditioned to imagine 'him' over 'her'?
It was just any other day at the office and as usual, before leaving, I bid my colleagues goodbye with the words: “Bye, girls!” as all of them are females. However, soon a male colleague joined our office, and I took the effort to address him by his name when leaving from work. I asked him if he would be fine if I said bye to my female colleagues and him collectively with the words: “Bye, girls!” He laughed and said it would make him uncomfortable.
I responded asking him if a group of males and females were addressed as just “guys” and no one had a problem with that, then why not the other way around?
The conversation ended in light laughter and no answer to the question.
We all know it and yet live it in our routine lives as we have been deeply conditioned to use the English language in a gender bias way from our young schooldays or even before.
Gender-bias being referred to here is in two forms: the plain English language and the way we are taught to use the English language. Thus, this led to conducting of a sample pilot empirical research on how one visualises and formulates thoughts and in which gender.
THE RIDDLE SURVEY
The empirical sample research revolves around a riddle that was asked to males and females in the law profession in the city of New Delhi, India.
1. The participants of the sample research were selected based on
(a) sex, to meet the requirement of 50% ratio of male and female participants, and
(b) medium of communication/instruction in school—English as the first language in school and the medium of instruction. Ten participants who consented to become a part of the survey were asked the following riddle: Mr X and his son were going to the market to buy groceries and suddenly they met with a road accident. Mr X dies and his son is heavily injured. The locals rush his son to the hospital and without filing paper formalities, the son is taken straight to the operation theatre. The surgeon enters the operation theatre all ready to operate.
However, on seeing the injured boy, the surgeon says: “Oh my God! He is my son! I cannot operate on him.”
1. Who is the father of the injured boy?
2. Who is the surgeon in relation to the injured boy?
Nine out of the 10 participants’ answer to ‘Who is the father of the injured boy?’ was the surgeon, implying that the surgeon was a male. One female participant out of the 10 participants’ answer was Mr X. Six participants (three male and three female) answered ‘Who is the Surgeon in relation to the injured boy?’ as step-father, two participants (one male and one female) answered as gay-partner father, one male participant answered as biological father and one female participant answered as mother. The correct answers are Mr X and mother, respectively.
Thus, the big concern is, do we imagine/formulate/visualize in the masculine gender? Our thoughts translate into words and the language we speak. Hence, it may be the case that the sample to whom the riddle was asked has been socially conditioned to identify the gender-neutral word ‘surgeon’ with males. This may be due to innumerable reasons including schooling, the patriarchal system, the way we have been taught to identify gender roles, and use the English language.
Time to change the way you speak English? Four-step drill
The manner in which we use our language is not only reflective of our culture and our socio-economic reality but can also be an effective tool instrumental in changing our culture and creating the socio-economic reality we envision today.
The use of English language today is reflective of conservative social values such as derivation of a woman’s purpose from a man, subordination of women, gender-stereotyping, patriarchal society dictated roles, sexism and discrimination.
However, the ones who envision a society free from gender discriminatory practices/ values vis-à-vis women, men, and all genders and strive everyday to contribute to the same can make a difference by changing the gender-bias use of the English language. The way we speak our languages including English has an incredible impact on what our cultural-social-economic values can become or reinforce and sustain the existing cultural-social-economic values.
Thus, consequently, the real question is: what can you do to remove gender-bias from your English language? At the outset, it is important to bear in mind that you cannot change the way you speak overnight and you will have to practice every time you speak. In order to remove gender- bias from your language, you may adopt the Four-step drill:
(a) Hear and identify,
(b) Substitute gender-bias words,
(c) Adopt the opposite to trigger societal realisation and
(d) Object to use of gender-bias words or style of speaking by others.
These steps are elaborated hereinafter:
STEP 1: HEAR AND IDENTIFY
It all begins with consciously hearing yourself speak. Once you begin to hear yourself speak you will be able to identify the gender-bias words in your language. That is half the job done, as you have identified the problem. An indication of a gender-bias word may include:
(a) Feminine words which are derivatives of masculine words:
i. Actress (derivation from Actor)
ii. Governess (derivation from Governor)
iii. Waitress (derivation from Waiter)
(b) Generalisations using masculine words/masculine plurals:
i. One may make or break his destiny.
ii. The common man has the power to vote in his hands.
iii. Mankind cannot re-write history. An indication of a gender-bias usage may include:
(a) Groups/Collectives including men and women are referred to using the masculine plurals:
i. Bye, guys!
ii. Hey, bros!
iii. Fresh men
iv. Countrymen
v. Fraternity
(b) Masculine words used to praise a woman:
i. You are such a cool girl! You are a bro!
ii. She is my son. I never felt like I had a daughter!
(c) Words used with a derogatory connotation to insult a man:
i. He is my bitch.
ii. Are you a pussy?
STEP 2: SUBSTITUTEGENDER-BIAS WORDS
We all are aware of gender-neutral words. We just need to make the effort of putting them to use. An indicative and non-exhaustive list of substitutes for gender-bias words is given below:
(a) Bye friends instead of Bye guys
(b) Hi friends instead of Hey bros
(c) First-year students instead of Fresh men
(d) Community instead of Fraternity
(e) Server instead of Waiter/ Waitress
(f) Common person instead of Common man
(g) Security Attendant instead of Watchman
(h) Worker instead of Workman
STEP 3: TEMPORARILY ADOPTTHE OPPOSITE TO TRIGGERSOCIETAL REALISATION
(a) One may make or break her destiny.
(b) The common woman has the power to vote in her hands.
STEP 4: OBJECT TO USE OFGENDER-BIAS WORDS ORSTYLE OF SPEAKING BYOTHERS
Lastly, depending on how strongly one feels about gender-bias, one may choose to object to the use of gender-bias words by your friends, family and even strangers around you. The aforesaid Four-Step Drill cannot only aid in speaking
English as a language free from gender bias but also be used as an effective tool to contribute in creating socio-economic values free from gender bias and stereotypes. We, males and females both of the liberal day and age, think that we are actively taking measures and are moving away from gender bias and the conservative views of gender discrimination, female subordination, and patriarchal pressures on males. However, we fail to realise that the routine use of our language is taking away from our efforts and we are in effect reinforcing gender bias and gender stereotypes of multiple kinds (unconsciously or subconsciously).
My hope is that we take a moment to rethink the routine use of the English language and work in reverse, that is, focus on the word and draw back to the thought behind the use/manner of using of a word. Working in reverse will assist in making amends to break free from the deep social conditioning that impacts our thought process, which ultimately translates into our language. You may start with asking your friends, colleagues and family the riddle!
Kudrat Dev is a dispute resolution lawyer practising in New Delhi, India and Alumna (Founding) member of JGLS Women & Law Society. She is a feminist by ideology and envisions a society free from gender stereotypes and patriarchal pressures.
1. The author intends to expand the empirical research in India and globally and is open to volunteers who would like to be a part of the empirical research. The Author may be contacted at dev.kudrat2206@gmail.com.
2. The Riddle is from an unknown source and has not been created by Kudrat Dev.
3. A more detailed list has been compiled by Service-Growth Consultants Inc. and is available at - http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/ Examples%20of%20Gender-Sensitive%20Language.net.pdf
It was just any other day at the office and as usual, before leaving, I bid my colleagues goodbye with the words: “Bye, girls!” as all of them are females. However, soon a male colleague joined our office, and I took the effort to address him by his name when leaving from work. I asked him if he...
It was just any other day at the office and as usual, before leaving, I bid my colleagues goodbye with the words: “Bye, girls!” as all of them are females. However, soon a male colleague joined our office, and I took the effort to address him by his name when leaving from work. I asked him if he would be fine if I said bye to my female colleagues and him collectively with the words: “Bye, girls!” He laughed and said it would make him uncomfortable.
I responded asking him if a group of males and females were addressed as just “guys” and no one had a problem with that, then why not the other way around?
The conversation ended in light laughter and no answer to the question.
We all know it and yet live it in our routine lives as we have been deeply conditioned to use the English language in a gender bias way from our young schooldays or even before.
Gender-bias being referred to here is in two forms: the plain English language and the way we are taught to use the English language. Thus, this led to conducting of a sample pilot empirical research on how one visualises and formulates thoughts and in which gender.
THE RIDDLE SURVEY
The empirical sample research revolves around a riddle that was asked to males and females in the law profession in the city of New Delhi, India.
1. The participants of the sample research were selected based on
(a) sex, to meet the requirement of 50% ratio of male and female participants, and
(b) medium of communication/instruction in school—English as the first language in school and the medium of instruction. Ten participants who consented to become a part of the survey were asked the following riddle: Mr X and his son were going to the market to buy groceries and suddenly they met with a road accident. Mr X dies and his son is heavily injured. The locals rush his son to the hospital and without filing paper formalities, the son is taken straight to the operation theatre. The surgeon enters the operation theatre all ready to operate.
However, on seeing the injured boy, the surgeon says: “Oh my God! He is my son! I cannot operate on him.”
1. Who is the father of the injured boy?
2. Who is the surgeon in relation to the injured boy?
Nine out of the 10 participants’ answer to ‘Who is the father of the injured boy?’ was the surgeon, implying that the surgeon was a male. One female participant out of the 10 participants’ answer was Mr X. Six participants (three male and three female) answered ‘Who is the Surgeon in relation to the injured boy?’ as step-father, two participants (one male and one female) answered as gay-partner father, one male participant answered as biological father and one female participant answered as mother. The correct answers are Mr X and mother, respectively.
Thus, the big concern is, do we imagine/formulate/visualize in the masculine gender? Our thoughts translate into words and the language we speak. Hence, it may be the case that the sample to whom the riddle was asked has been socially conditioned to identify the gender-neutral word ‘surgeon’ with males. This may be due to innumerable reasons including schooling, the patriarchal system, the way we have been taught to identify gender roles, and use the English language.
Time to change the way you speak English? Four-step drill
The manner in which we use our language is not only reflective of our culture and our socio-economic reality but can also be an effective tool instrumental in changing our culture and creating the socio-economic reality we envision today.
The use of English language today is reflective of conservative social values such as derivation of a woman’s purpose from a man, subordination of women, gender-stereotyping, patriarchal society dictated roles, sexism and discrimination.
However, the ones who envision a society free from gender discriminatory practices/ values vis-à-vis women, men, and all genders and strive everyday to contribute to the same can make a difference by changing the gender-bias use of the English language. The way we speak our languages including English has an incredible impact on what our cultural-social-economic values can become or reinforce and sustain the existing cultural-social-economic values.
Thus, consequently, the real question is: what can you do to remove gender-bias from your English language? At the outset, it is important to bear in mind that you cannot change the way you speak overnight and you will have to practice every time you speak. In order to remove gender- bias from your language, you may adopt the Four-step drill:
(a) Hear and identify,
(b) Substitute gender-bias words,
(c) Adopt the opposite to trigger societal realisation and
(d) Object to use of gender-bias words or style of speaking by others.
These steps are elaborated hereinafter:
STEP 1: HEAR AND IDENTIFY
It all begins with consciously hearing yourself speak. Once you begin to hear yourself speak you will be able to identify the gender-bias words in your language. That is half the job done, as you have identified the problem. An indication of a gender-bias word may include:
(a) Feminine words which are derivatives of masculine words:
i. Actress (derivation from Actor)
ii. Governess (derivation from Governor)
iii. Waitress (derivation from Waiter)
(b) Generalisations using masculine words/masculine plurals:
i. One may make or break his destiny.
ii. The common man has the power to vote in his hands.
iii. Mankind cannot re-write history. An indication of a gender-bias usage may include:
(a) Groups/Collectives including men and women are referred to using the masculine plurals:
i. Bye, guys!
ii. Hey, bros!
iii. Fresh men
iv. Countrymen
v. Fraternity
(b) Masculine words used to praise a woman:
i. You are such a cool girl! You are a bro!
ii. She is my son. I never felt like I had a daughter!
(c) Words used with a derogatory connotation to insult a man:
i. He is my bitch.
ii. Are you a pussy?
STEP 2: SUBSTITUTEGENDER-BIAS WORDS
We all are aware of gender-neutral words. We just need to make the effort of putting them to use. An indicative and non-exhaustive list of substitutes for gender-bias words is given below:
(a) Bye friends instead of Bye guys
(b) Hi friends instead of Hey bros
(c) First-year students instead of Fresh men
(d) Community instead of Fraternity
(e) Server instead of Waiter/ Waitress
(f) Common person instead of Common man
(g) Security Attendant instead of Watchman
(h) Worker instead of Workman
STEP 3: TEMPORARILY ADOPTTHE OPPOSITE TO TRIGGERSOCIETAL REALISATION
(a) One may make or break her destiny.
(b) The common woman has the power to vote in her hands.
STEP 4: OBJECT TO USE OFGENDER-BIAS WORDS ORSTYLE OF SPEAKING BYOTHERS
Lastly, depending on how strongly one feels about gender-bias, one may choose to object to the use of gender-bias words by your friends, family and even strangers around you. The aforesaid Four-Step Drill cannot only aid in speaking
English as a language free from gender bias but also be used as an effective tool to contribute in creating socio-economic values free from gender bias and stereotypes. We, males and females both of the liberal day and age, think that we are actively taking measures and are moving away from gender bias and the conservative views of gender discrimination, female subordination, and patriarchal pressures on males. However, we fail to realise that the routine use of our language is taking away from our efforts and we are in effect reinforcing gender bias and gender stereotypes of multiple kinds (unconsciously or subconsciously).
My hope is that we take a moment to rethink the routine use of the English language and work in reverse, that is, focus on the word and draw back to the thought behind the use/manner of using of a word. Working in reverse will assist in making amends to break free from the deep social conditioning that impacts our thought process, which ultimately translates into our language. You may start with asking your friends, colleagues and family the riddle!
Kudrat Dev is a dispute resolution lawyer practising in New Delhi, India and Alumna (Founding) member of JGLS Women & Law Society. She is a feminist by ideology and envisions a society free from gender stereotypes and patriarchal pressures.
1. The author intends to expand the empirical research in India and globally and is open to volunteers who would like to be a part of the empirical research. The Author may be contacted at dev.kudrat2206@gmail.com.
2. The Riddle is from an unknown source and has not been created by Kudrat Dev.
3. A more detailed list has been compiled by Service-Growth Consultants Inc. and is available at - http://www.servicegrowth.net/documents/ Examples%20of%20Gender-Sensitive%20Language.net.pdf
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