Gender and Language Reform

 Throughout this quarter we have been discussing how the dominant gender discourse is embedded in language. Through the years, people have sought ways to change language to eliminate some of the basic grammatical and lexical items that disadvantage women. We will conclude the quarter by discussing issues of sexism in language and language reform. Is language reform called for? Is it possible?

Readings

Question of the week: Does sexism embedded language affect how people perceive gender? Discuss this in light of all three readings.

Bodine, Ann. 1975. Androcentrism in prescriptive grammar: Singular 'they,' sex-indefinite 'he,' and 'he or she'. Language in Society, 4.129-46.
And while you're reading this, check this out
Ehrlich, Susan and King, Ruth. 1994. Feminist meanings and the (de)politicization of the lexicon. Language in society, 23.59-76.
Check out this news story: the French are getting rid of Mademoiselle.
Segel, Edward and Boroditsky, Lera. 2011. Grammar in art. Frontiers in cultural psychology, 1.244.

Suggested Readings

Hall, Kira and O'Donovan, Veronica. 1997. Shifting gender positions among Hindi-speaking Hijras. Language and gender research: Theory and method, ed. by Victoria Bergvall, Janet Bing and Alice Freed, 228-66. London: Longman.