ecn-pa:alexande (04/28/83)
I think too much is being made in this discussion of the idea that changing the language is not a final, or even the best solution to the problem of sexism. Sexism, whatever some say, runs deep in this country. I have seen it while working for Orkin, with the lower working class. I have seen it while working for a fine Men's clothing store with the upper middle and lower upper class. I have seen it while working for a large University, and for a small Liberal Arts college. I have seen it in churches and religious groups of all faiths; in black society and in white society. Most people, women as well as men, have firmly ingrained sexist beliefs and feelings, and these beliefs and feelings are reflected in almost every product of their minds and mouths. If one believes, as I do, that this sexism is harmful, counterproductive, inequitable, and unreasonable, and that it therefore would be desirous to eliminate it or reduce its influence, then one should be constantly seeking for ways to combat it and those few poeple who consciously and determinedly fight to maintain it. I believe that altering patterns of language is one way to further this cause. It is not the only way, and, taken by itself, is rather impotent. But, taken as a part of a comprehensive program of education, legislation, propaganda and human love and understanding, it has a part to play: a part that I believe is important. A person can be educated to believe that all members of the human race are in some way equal; laws can be enacted making it illegal to discriminate unjustly on the basis of sex; large amounts of energy and resources can be devoted to a media campaign to expose the roots and evils of sexism; and the most generous outpourings of human love can be expended on those that feel they have something to gain by the perpetuation of sexism in one or all of its ugly forms. But still, these efforts can be foiled, or at least delayed, by the inability of people to find alternative modes of speech to avoid expressions that lead them into sexist thoughts. Removing some of these pitfalls makes it easier for people to accept the education of becoming non- sexist, because it does not require them to think of a woman as a man. I personally do not believe that sexism will go away just by the invention of a genderless pronoun, but I do believe that the gradual removal of linguistic forms that are widely felt to be sexist is a necessary requirement for the elimination of sexism in the long run, and could help speed its evolution significantly. Alan Alexander-Manifold Purdue Library Systems Department ...pur-ee!ecn-pa!alexande
jlg (05/10/83)
Well, this is pretty tiring. This discussion has been going on for the
entire time that I have been reading the network news. So far no one has
an altered opinion or even a new approach to the issue. I don't think I'll
read any more notes that are posted to BOTH net.nlang and net.women.
For the record -- I am one of those who would not like to see the language
change, not at least until the current generation of kids raised under the
equal rights era have grown and added thier input (pun intended). If we
make the wrong changes to the language we will be stuck with them. On the
other hand, if the issue is not really linguistic it may dissapear by itself.
J.L. Giles
(...!utah-cs!lanl-a!jlg)
P.S. Besides, what are the women complaining about? They have had
thier own pronouns for years. Men have been stuck with pronouns that
also are genderless. Why not invent a new set of pronouns that refer
to men only and keep the present set only for their genderless use.
That way official titles, job descriptions, and laws need not be changed
except where they refer directly to the distinction of gender.
-- Just an idea. New to this discussion anyway.