gender-neutral language

Examples of gender-neutral language in the following topics:

• Gender-Neutral Language

  • Gender neutrality in language minimizes assumptions about the gender or sex of people referred to in writing or speech.
  • Gender-neutral language is neither masculine nor feminine and avoids using gender specific pronouns such as "he" or "she." 
  • Proponents of gender-neutral language argue that gender-specific language (such as policeman or waitress) often implies male superiority or reflects an unequal state of society.
  • In some cases, laws exist to enforce the use of gender-neutral language in certain situations, such as job advertisements.
  • Different authorities have presented guidelines on when and how to use gender-neutral, or "non-sexist" language.

• Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

  • All pronouns must agree with their antecedent in number and gender.
  • In some situations, pronouns need to be gender specific.
  • Gender-neutral pronouns include you, they, their, theirs, we, us, our, ours, your, and yours.
  • In the case where the gender of the antecedent is unknown, the pronoun should be gender-neutral or avoided altogether. 
  • [By making the antecedent plural, you can use the gender-neutral plural pronoun their.]

• Techniques for Acknowledging Opposing Views

  • Whichever way you choose to bring the counterargument into the discussion, however, you'll want to use neutral language.
  • Make it clear that you are presenting someone else's viewpoint, but don't use emotionally charged, biased, or polemical language to summarize it.
  • Don't dismiss your opposition from the outset with language like this: "John Smith naively argues ..."
  • There are many valid ways to introduce an opposing view, but do try to present it in a neutral manner before you shoot it down.
  • Modify language to be neutral in tone when presenting a counterargument

• When to Use APA Style

  • The guidelines for reducing bias in language have been updated over the years and provide practical guidance for writing about race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status.

• Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

  • Active voice is generally more direct and neutral than passive voice.
  • "Jamey was fascinated by language arts."
  • This makes the language more objective; in theory, an experiment should happen the same way and have the same results no matter who conducts it.