Gender Bias In Language :: essays research papers fc

Language is a rattling powerful element. It is the most coarse method of communication. Yet it is often misunderstood an misinterpreted, for language is a very complicated mechanism with a great deal of nuance. in that location be times when in conversation with another individual, that we must take into work out the persons linguistic genealogy. There atomic number 18 people who use language that would be considered prejudicial or prepossessioned in use. But the question that is increase is in regard to language usage is the language the cause of the bias or is it reflective of the pre quick bias that the user holds? There argon those who believe that the language that we use in day-to-day conversation is unilateral in and of itself. They feel that the term mailman, for example, is one that excludes women mail carriers. Then on that point are those who feel that language is a reflection of the prejudices that people do within themselves. That is to say that the words tha t people choose to use in conversation 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 appropriateness" coming about) that have inherently been sexually biased against women. For example, the person who investigates report complaints (as from consumers or students), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements is ombudsman (Merriam Webster Dictionary) (Ombudsperson here at Indiana tell apart University). This is an example of the gender bias that exists in the English language. The language is ordered so that men are identified 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 type of male conquest is generally reflecting the honored position of the male and the subservien ce of the female. Even in relationships, the male in the family line is often referred to as the "man of the house," stock-still if it is a 4-year-old-child. It is highly insulting to say that a 4-year-old male, based just 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 disagreement in that situation. In American culture, a woman is valued for the attractive feature of her body, while a man is valued for his physical strength and his accomplishments (50).