Gendered language and why it matters
Last year I proofread a children’s illustrated dictionary for a client. There was a double-page spread with pictures of boys and girls dressed for different professions. There were camera operators, ministers, nurses (girls), doctors (mainly boys), firemen (boys), and policewomen (girls). And this is why gendered language matters.
Sometimes when I’m working, my Spidey senses tingle before I’ve checked something. This was one of those times. Through training and reading Ciep’s guide to gendered language, I recognised the need to raise a query.
The State of Gendered Language
Sue Grey (developmental editor at O’Reilly Media) wrote an excellent article for the Ciep entitled The State of Gendered Language. She details how the world seems to be changing at an ever quicker pace. In some areas, this change is positive such as a reduction in sexism, homophobia, and transphobia but with every advancement, there is an inevitable backlash.
The powerful rarely relinquish without a fight. Controlling language is another way to control people. Women’s rights and freedoms are being threatened and eroded as a reaction to women’s advancement in the workplace and positions of power. The same is true of those from the LGBTQ+ community whose rights are being repealed and lives endangered just as many people become more accepting of difference.
Moving away from sexism
Gendered language is a contentious issue with many people. It follows that language needs to keep pace with society and adapt to better reflect its citizens.
Challenges to sexism in language began in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the first examples of this change was the wide acceptance of he and she rather than deferring to the male pronoun. From this we had the introduction of Ms to further support women.
Meanwhile, women were taking to the streets in their thousands demanding equal pay, paid childcare, and rights over their bodies. At the same time, gays, and other activists were asking to be recognised and treated with respect.
Simultaneously, people began to believe that descriptive titles needn’t be gendered. They asked questions such as do we need to gender the job description. Do we need to know if the person performing a role is male or female? If the answer is no, which is invariably is, then get rid of the gender label. Finding a gender-neutral alternative is easy.
Ooh look! It’s a male scientist!
There is a fantastic satirical page on Facebook, Man who has it all, who parodies the ridiculous advice self-help books, and the media, dole out to women. He tackles the prejudice of gendered language head on. In one post there is a photo of a male and female side by side; his t-shirt reads Male scientist whereas hers simply reads – scientist.
Essentially, the point being made illustrates that gendered labels are unnecessary. They help reinforce unhelpful stereotypes around gender roles: we don’t need policewomen, firemen, or postwomen. By gendering jobs, you are implying that the default is a male in that position.
Furthermore, it helps people assume that for someone not of that gender to perform that role is exceptional. This is especially evident when discussing certain career paths such as a male nurse or a female surgeon.
Some people may argue that there are greater challenges in the world to be concerned about but this is an important issue. There are many societies where women are still restricted from entering certain professions. And language whether overtly or not plays a role in societies expectations.
So, when we eradicate unhelpful gender labels, we are helping young people grow up with the expectation that all roles are open to them. That to be a physicist, politician, or CEO is possible however they identify.
We’ve eliminated gendered language – so we’ve won!
Sadly, we are not even close. While gender labels are being removed from English, there are still unhelpful stereotypes and examples of how language can be weaponised. Boys criticised for being sensitive and girls who are leaders labelled bossy are two such examples.
Issues with language and how different genders are spoken to persist. Politicians get asked questions that produce eye rolls on a regular basis. When Jacinda Arden and Finnish prime minister Sana Marin met last year, one male journalist fell short.
With a straight face, he asked two elected leaders of their respective countries if they were ‘meeting because you’re similar in age, and, you know, got a lot of common stuff?’
Arden countered with if he’d ever ask Barack Obama and John Key the same question. Meanwhile, Marin gave the withering reply, ‘We’re meeting because we’re prime ministers.’ The asinine nature of this question highlights that as a female you can lead your country yet still be undermined by someone talking to you as if you’re a teenager having a sleepover.
There are many other examples of how language is gendered or othered. Othering can also be noted by absence, sometimes research is conducted with only cis-gendered white men. Outcomes from this myopic view are still being felt among women and other disenfranchised groups.
When we other groups and only let one voice dominate, is it any wonder that many of us feel abandoned by institutions and locked out of policy. That’s why gendered language matters.
Sensitivity as a proofreader and editor
Part of the role of an editor is to help your clients understand accepted language usage and point out diplomatically when their writing could be amended. It’s fine, we all make mistakes and have our biases which is why checking your own writing can lead to issues as we are often unable to see our own ticks and bad habits.
That’s why hiring a good editor will help you avoid pitfalls and help to ensure readers don’t feel excluded.
As an editor, it is your job to be the widest audience for any discourse and advise your clients accordingly. Showing sensitivity promotes inclusion and that is what all writing should aim for.