Gender-neutral language is key to promoting equality and inclusiveness in writing. This guide covers techniques for removing gender biases from language, encouraging a more inclusive approach.
Techniques for Achieving Gender Neutrality in Sentences
Use Gender-Neutral Pronouns
Adopting gender-neutral pronouns such as "they" is a simple yet effective way to ensure language inclusivity. For instance, replace "She is a doctor" with "They are a doctor" for a gender-neutral approach.
Gender-Neutral Terms for Professions
Avoid gender-specific occupational titles. Opt for terms like "police officer" instead of "policeman," ensuring language neutrality in professional contexts.
Examples of Gender-Neutral Substitutions
- Chairman - Chairperson
- Policeman - Police officer
- Stewardess - Flight attendant
- Mailman - Mail carrier
- Salesman - Salesperson
- Waiter/Waitress - Server
- Actor/Actress - Performer
- Hostess - Host
- Chairman of the Board - Chair
- Foreman - Supervisor
- Businessman - Businessperson
- Manpower - Workforce
- Workman - Worker
- Repairman - Repairperson
Avoid Language that Excludes One Gender
Identifying and avoiding language that excludes one gender is crucial. Terms like "mankind" can be replaced with more inclusive alternatives like "humanity" to ensure no gender is excluded.
Be aware of language that perpetuates gender stereotypes or reinforces gender roles. Terms like "housewife" or "businessman" can be replaced with more neutral and inclusive terms to avoid suggesting that certain jobs or roles are meant for specific genders.
Recasting Sentences with Participial Phrases
It's possible to recast a sentence that uses "he/his" by substituting a participial phrase for a clause. A participial phrase is a group of words that includes a participle and acts as an adjective to modify a noun. This technique helps avoid the use of gendered pronouns and makes writing more inclusive.
Example:
Instead of "A teacher should grade his students' assignments fairly," use "Assignments should be graded fairly by a teacher." Here, "assignments should be graded fairly" is a participial phrase, substituting for "A teacher should grade his students' assignments fairly."
Recasting When the Subject Is an Indefinite Pronoun
When referring to indefinite pronouns, there are several options for achieving gender-neutral language. One method is to use both pronouns (he or she, her or his).
Example:
Original: "When someone leaves his keys at home, he cannot enter the building."
Revised: "When someone leaves their keys at home, he or she cannot enter the building."
Use Plural Pronouns for Indefinite Referents
Using the plural pronoun when the indefinite referent is clearly understood to be plural is an effective method for gender-neutral language.
Example:
Original: "When someone leaves his keys at home, he cannot enter the building."
Revised: "When people leave their keys at home, they cannot enter the building."
Use of the Singular 'They/Their'
This construction is becoming increasingly acceptable for gender-neutral language, as mentioned earlier in the first technique.
Example:
Original: "When someone leaves his keys at home, he cannot enter the building."
Revised: "When someone leaves their keys at home, they cannot enter the building."
Substituting First or Second-Person Pronouns for Third-Person Pronouns
Substituting first or second-person pronouns for third-person pronouns is an effective way to ensure gender neutrality.
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Example:
Instead of "A chef should taste his dish before serving it," consider "As chefs, we should taste our dish before serving it."
Substituting 'One/One's' for 'He/His'
Using 'one/one's' as a substitute for 'he/his' can create gender-neutral language, suitable for formal and technical documents. However, it's recommended to use this construction sparingly to avoid a tone that is too formal or distant.
Example:
Instead of "A doctor should examine his patients before making a diagnosis," say "A doctor should examine one's patients before making a diagnosis."
Instead of "An engineer should test his designs before implementing them," say "An engineer should test one's designs before implementing them."
Balance Gender Pronouns
When using gender pronouns, it's important to balance the use of "he" and "she" equitably, sometimes reversing their order for inclusivity.
Example:
Original: "Adam and his nurse Rachel."
Revised: "Rachel and her nurse Adam."
Another example: "When the user opens the URL, she must first register."
Avoiding Possessive Forms: Dropping 'His/Her' or Substituting with an Article
It's possible to drop the possessive form "his/her" altogether or substitute it with an article or a gender-neutral possessive form for inclusivity.
Example:
Instead of "A scientist should keep his lab clean," say "Scientists should keep the lab clean."
Use of Gender-Fair Courtesy Titles
Using gender-neutral or gender-inclusive titles like Mr., Ms., Dr., or Prof. promotes equality and reduces focus on a person's gender or marital status.
Example:
Instead of using "Miss" or "Mrs." for a woman, use "Ms.," a neutral title that does not indicate marital status.
Avoiding Gender-Biased Language in Sports
Avoid labeling teams as "men's" or "women's" to prevent reinforcing gender stereotypes and the idea that certain activities are gender-specific.
Example:
Instead of "the men's basketball team," say "the basketball team."
Avoiding Gender-Biased Assumptions in Roles
Stereotyping roles based on gender reinforces gender biases and perpetuates inequality.
Example:
Original: "Dear Mothers, please help the students with this stitching assignment."
Revised: "Dear Parents, please help the students with this stitching assignment."
Avoiding Gender-Specific Stereotypical Attributes
Avoid representing individuals as having stereotypical gendered attributes. Instead, portray people as unique individuals with diverse personalities, skills, and interests.
Example:
Original: "Girls are good at playing with dolls, and boys like action figures."
Revised: "Some children like playing with dolls, and others prefer action figures."
Avoiding Gender-Specific Modifiers
Modifiers like "man-size" imply gender-specific traits and can be exclusive. Opt for descriptors that specify the trait without relying on gendered modifiers.
Example:
Instead of "man-size," use "large" to describe something that is big or spacious.
Reduce the Effects of Gender-Biased Language in Textual Citations
When citing texts, consider the impact of the language used and explore options to make citations more inclusive and gender-neutral.
Direct Citation
Quote a passage directly without changes, only when the language is not sexist or offensive.
Paraphrasing
Paraphrase the text instead of quoting directly to make it more gender-neutral.
Contextualization
If the language is outdated or sexist, contextualize it in the citation to explain the historical or cultural background, reducing potential harm.
Interjection
Interject with a comment if the language is offensive, to express the writer's opinion and provide a nuanced perspective.