Gender Bias In Language :: essays research papers fc

Language is a very powerful element. It is the most common method of communication. Yet it is oft misunderstood an misinterpreted, for language is a very complicated mechanism with a great deal of nuance. in that respect are times when in talk with some other individual, that we must take into account the persons linguistic genealogy. There are people who use language that would be considered prejudicial or biased in use. further the question that is raised is in regard to language usage is the language the cause of the bias or is it reflective of the preexisting bias that the user holds? There are those who believe that the language that we use in day-to-day conversation is biased in and of itself. They feel that the term mail adult male, for example, is one that excludes women mail carriers. Then there are those who feel that language is a reflection of the prejudices that people invite within themselves. That is to say that the words that people choose to use in conversati on denote the bias that they harbor within their own existence. There are words in the English language that are existing or have existed (some of them have changed with the new wave of "political correctness" coming about) that have inherently been sexually biased against women. For example, the person who investigates reported complaints (as from consumers or students), reports findings, and helps to achieve ingenuous settlements is ombudsman (Merriam Webster Dictionary) (Ombudsperson here at Indiana State University). This is an example of the gender bias that exists in the English language. The language is arranged so that men are identify with glorified and exalted positions, and women are identified with more service-oriented positions in which they are being dominated and instructed by men. So the language used to convey this fount of male supremacy is generally reflecting the honored position of the male and the subservience of the female. Even in relationships, th e male in the foundation is often referred to as the "man of the house," even if it is a 4-year-old-child. It is highly insulting to say that a 4-year-old male, based solely on his gender, is more qualified and capable of conducting the business and affairs of the home than his possibly well-educated, highly intellectual mother. There is a definite disparity in that situation. In American culture, a woman is valued for the attractiveness of her body, fleck a man is valued for his physical strength and his accomplishments (50).