1. Presented by Michael A. Rushanan (micharu1@umbc.edu) English393 0701: October 21 st

2. The following bullets will help guide our discussion with key points and set agenda goals: What is a “Gender Fair Language”? Identifying the problematic use of “he, his, or him” as a generic pronoun. How do we solve this problem? Identifying the problematic use of “man” as a generic noun. How do we solve this problem? Any critical thoughts, comments, questions? Introduction

3. Class participation – Please point to a girl in the classroom. Girls, well women, please raise your hand. Gender Fair Language

4. Thanks for the participation, but you’re wrong. Girl once referred to a youth of either gender. Even Heman is a girl! Quick, ask me what the point is! Gender Fair Language

5. Gender-fair language: Allows the reader to focus on the content of the subject vice the gender of the subject. Removes the issue of the average reader’s perception of imagining a man when reading “he, his, or man”. Removes the bias of not visualizing a working environment containing both genders, rather than concluding a male dominated situation. Must be implemented carefully as it replacing he with she can draw even more attention to the gender vice the content. Note: Remind me to give you my awesome note! Gender Fair Language

6. What is the problem? Using he, his, or him as a generic pronoun. Why is this a problem? The writer misrepresents the referent as a male, and the identity of the gender is irrelevant to the information being presented. Solutions? There are a few, so let us list a concrete few… followed by “less fluent” solutions. He, His, Him

7. Use a first/second-person perspective. Use gender-specific pronouns. Structure the sentence without pronouns. He, His, Him: Concrete

8. Use a first/second-person perspective. Use gender-specific pronouns. Structure the sentence without pronouns. He, His, Him: Examples1

9. Use a double pronoun. Use passive voice sparingly. He, His, Him: Less Fluent

10. Use a double pronoun. Use passive voice sparingly. He, His, Him: Examples2

12. What is the problem? Using man as a generic pronoun. Why is this a problem? The writer misrepresents groups that include women. Solutions? Glad you asked, please see the next slide. Man…

13. Use “person”, “mortal”, “human”, and their numerous variations. Use a more inclusive compound word. Man…

14. Use “person”, “mortal”, “human”, and their numerous variations. Use a more inclusive compound word. Man… Examples

15. Article Reference: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/genderfair.html