Gender Bias in Language

Gender bias in Chinese language 妄、妥、妻、委、妾、耍、婆、娶、婪 ( 上下结构中, “ 女 ” 在下 ) 爷, 爸, 爹, 斧 ( “ 父 ” 部字中， “ 父 ” 在上 ) 1. Characters

Have you found any gender bias in English language? Can you give some examples?

Structural analysis 1 This text is an expositive essay with reference to gender bias in language. 1. What type of writing is the text? 2. Which two opinions are presented in the first paragraph? There are those who believe that the language that we use everyday is biased in and of itself. Then there are those who feel that language is a reflection of the prejudices that people have within themselves.

3. What’s the main strategy to develop this expositive essay? (Hint: Note Paras.2-6) The text is mainly developed by means of exemplification. Examples are abundantly used in Paragraphs 2-6.

4. Which sentences in the conclusion show the writer’s attitude? In the last paragraph, we find these sentences: “It is necessary for people to make the proper adjustments internally to use appropriate language to effectively include both genders. We qualify language. It is up to us to decide what we will allow to be used and made proper in the area of language.” Evidently, they denote the writer’s attitude toward what we should do about gender bias in language.

Structural analysis 3 3. Work out the structure of the text by completing the table. Paragraph(s) Main idea 1 The writer raises the issue to be discussed: Is language the cause of the bias or is it reflective of the preexisting bias that the user holds? 2-6 The writer provides quite a number of typical examples to illustrate gender bias in language. 7 The writer makes his attitude or opinion clear on the issue of gender bias in language.

1. prejudice, bias Both words refer to an unfair, irrational, or unexamined attitude towards issues or people based on generalized preconceptions. Prejudice refers to a dislike or even hatred for a particular group, race, or religion, in a largely unexpressed or even unknown manner. Bias points to a predisposition either for or against something. Where prejudice can indicate a fixed, inflexible attitude, bias might suggest only a tendency to take a given view.) 2. Request, claim Request suggests a courteous statement of desire, and it is frequently used as a euphemism for "demand" in order to hide the latter's harshness. Claim suggests that a right is being asserted or one has the right to something. 3. connect, attach Both verbs apply to things that are brought or fastened together. Connect is used of things that come into contact at some point while clearly remaining separate. The word may also suggest a contact that results in the transfer of power from a source to a receiver. Attach applies to the fastening on of a part to a whole, of a lesser thing to a greater, or of something movable to something fixed.

n. slight, delicate or subtle difference in color, appearance, meaning, feeling, etc.... language is a very complicated mechanism with a great deal of nuance. Nuance['nju ːɑː ns] n. slight, delicate or subtle difference in color, appearance, meaning, feeling, etc. Explanation: … language is a very complicated system of communication. Even slight variations in the pitch, tone, and intensity of the voice and in the choice of words, etc. can express a great deal of subtle shades of meaning.

genealogy ['d ʒ in ɪ 'æləd ʒ i] successive generations of kin; family tree

we must take we must take into account the person’s linguistic genealogy. Paraphrase: we must consider the person’s long-standing conventions in language use. Translation: 我们必须将这人的语言谱系学考虑在内。

the language that we use in day- to-day conversation is biased in and of itself. Paraphrase: … the language we use in everyday conversation reflects in its own nature an unfavorable opinion about women. Translation: 我们日常对话中使用的语言本身就具有偏见。

denote Derivations: vt. be the name, sign or symbol of; refer to e.g. Blues lines on the map denote rivers. denotation: n. Synonyms: indicate A smile often denotes ____________________. pleasure and friendship

harbor e.g. He harbors a secret grudge against his father. vt. 1) keep bad thoughts, fears, or hopes in your mind for a long time Derivation: harbor: n. 2) contain something, especially something hidden and dangerous Translation: We mustn't harbor hard thoughts. 我们千万不能存什么狠心肠。

... denote the bias that they harbor within their own existence Paraphrase:... indicate the unfavorable opinion that they hold about women

Shrew small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles Taming of the shrew 驯悍记