jmdoyle@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jennifer Mary Doyle) (05/18/89)
While writing a paper on discrimination using WordPerfect, I came across the following lists. Each list consists of a word, and the synonyms given for it by the WP thesaurus. In some cases, the antonyms given are also listed. In the case of "man", the only antonym listed was for "man" as a verb. Perhaps most frightening are the lists for "prostitute" and "gigolo". Some of the sexism in the lists is due to the inherent sexism in the language, but some is without a doubt due to the people who put this thesaurus together. The question is what to do now. Jen woman ----- dame dowager female lady matron consort mate spouse wife handmaiden housekeeper maid opposite -------- man husband butler man --- human beings humanity humankind mankind people chap fellow guy opposite -------- N/A feminine -------- female ladylike womanly dainty delicate soft opposite -------- masculine masculine --------- male manly virile brawny muscular powerful robust strong opposite -------- feminine weak prostitute ---------- harlot hooker hustler streetwalker strumpet trollop whore gigolo ------ companion escort gallant lover paramour -- "I get by with a little help from my friends..." |Now reading:_Cyberiad_, Jen jmdoyle@phoenix.princeton.edu Princeton '92 |_The Shore of Women_ Disclaimer: I am a student, I represent the future.|Finished: _Gamearth_ TAKE BACK THE NET---FIGHT FOR GAY RIGHTS //// SPEAKING OUT IS FIGHTING BACK [I think that WordPerfect has revised this, but I'm sure someone reading the group will have more up-to-date information than I. TR]