Text II Sexism in English: A Feminist View I. Questions Does culture shape language or vice versa? Is this an easy question to answer? Why? There has been a common practice now to use all- inclusive words such as “Ms”, “chairperson”, “business person” in the place of masculine words so as to avoid sexual discrimination. How did some linguists react to this? How do you feel about such practice? Do you think such linguistic efforts will result in any significant change in culture? Why or why not? What’s the main argument of the author? Can you find the thesis statement in the passage? How does the author prove that there is sexism in English? Find the evidence given by the author and group them in sensible categories. Is the evidence provided powerful enough to support the author’s argument?
II. Analysis of the text Thesis: (Title ) Sexism in English (end of Para 3) “how really deep-seated sexism is in our communication system” Organization: Presenting the topic(Para 1-3) starting with the observation on the relation between CULTURE and LANGUAGE, to bring in the topic for discussion, i.e. “how our language (English) reflects the sexual discrimination in our culture.” Giving evidence to show sexism in English (linguistic evidence) Evidence of sexism in English 1) Words that originated from people’s names (para 4-6)
MASCULINEFEMININE More in quantity Fewer in number Related to achievements/accomplishments Related to body (physical features) (implications) Man is successful Woman is sexy
MASCULINE FEMININE EXAMPLES serious, businesslike sexual connotation callboy vs. call girlsuggesting respect, dignitysexual connotationSir vs. Madam master vs. mistress more functional in word formation1) forming compoundsmaster + plan / copy /trust /charge; concert master, toast master etc. mistress in few compounds 2) taking affixesa) masculine as base, feminine Subordinate usher usherette heir heiress b) masculine forming compounds feminine having dead end kingdom (not *queendom) sportsmanship c) exception (sex and marriage) prostitute male prostitute widow widower bride bridegroom
Conclusion (English is a male-centred language) III. Discussion and assignment: Give further examples to show sexism in English Some examples to elicit students’ contribution 1. Different associations: MasculineFeminine the man in the streeta woman of the street a male pirate female pirate bachelor spinster governor governess
Vulgarism in feminine words e.g. movie queen, beauty queen 3. Up-gradation in masculine words marshal ( 马夫 to be upgraded to mean 元帅 ) craftsman 4. Priority given to masculine words in order 先男后女 host and hostess brother and sister husband and wife Adam and Eve Son and daughter He or she King and queen (With the only exception: “Ladies and gentlemen”!) 5. Existence of female exclusive terms Chairman, spokesman, businessman, man power (work man policeman