NOTE: These guidelines were last
revised in January 2000. The UNH President's Commissions, in collaboration
with other university offices and organizations, are currently developing
a Bias-Free Language Guide. For more information about this guide,
please contact the Commission office.
Open Letter to the UNH Community
Introduction
About these Guidelines
UNH Guidelines for the Use of Nonsexist Language
A Final Word
Recommended Bibliography
-----------------------
An Open Letter to the UNH Community
from Dr. Joan Leitzel, President of the University
of New Hampshire
Dear Colleagues,
The University of New Hampshire, as an equal opportunity education
institution, is committed to both academic freedom and the fair treatment
of all individuals. Part of this commitment is the creation of an
environment that avoids the reinforcement of demeaning attitudes and
stereotypes about sex roles. Consequently, in 1984, the Academic Senate,
the Faculty Caucus, and both the Operating and PAT Staff Councils
adopted a nonsexist language policy.
Language may convey meanings that are different for the listener
than the speaker. Where suitable alternatives exist to gender-specific
words, I believe it is appropriate to use them. This is especially
true at UNH since we have a responsibility of not only providing educational
opportunities for our students but also helping them form personal
values.
The UNH policy does not call for institutional monitoring or sanctions.
It asks for each of us to make a personal commitment to use bias-free
language. I urge each of you to be sensitive to the impact of language
so that the University of New Hampshire provides positive educational
experiences for all.
Sincerely,
Joan R. Leitzel, President University of New Hampshire
INTRODUCTION
On July 13, 1984, the University of New Hampshire issued the following
bylaw entitled "Policy on Nonsexist Language" (University
System Policy Manual III-B-8.1) which reads:
The University of New Hampshire, as an equal opportunity educational
institution, is committed to both academic freedom and the fair
treatment of all individuals. It therefore discourages the use of
language and illustrations that reinforce inappropriate and demeaning
attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about sex roles. Accordingly,
all official University communications, whether delivered orally
or in writing, shall be free of sexist language.
Compliance with this policy shall be the responsibility of appropriate
supervisory personnel. Concerns or questions regarding the implementation
of this policy can be directed to the Affirmative Action Office.
Copies of this policy and suggested guidelines for the use of nonsexist
language will be available from the Affirmative Action Office and
the UNH Commission on the Status of Women.
These guidelines were prepared to assist members of the UNH community
who may be unfamiliar with the use of nonsexist language. These Guidelines
represent a revision of the 1985 and 1996 handbooks and are adapted
from several references, including the APA "Guidelines to Reduce
Bias in Language" (1994) and the AUP Guidelines for Bias-Free
Writing (1995). Other handbooks are also available. Most major
publishing houses and many professional organizations have developed
guidelines on the use of bias-free language. A partial listing of
these handbooks appears in the bibliography at the end of this publication.
ABOUT THESE GUIDELINES
Language that reinforces sexism can arise from imprecise word choices
that may be interpreted as biased, discriminatory, or demeaning even
if they are not intended to be. The following guidelines are offered
to help in recognizing and changing word choices that may be inaccurate,
misleading, or discriminatory. Sexual bias in language may be classified
into two categories that are conceptually different: concerns of designation
and concerns of evaluation.
Designation
In the case of sexism, long-established cultural practice can exert
a powerful, insidious influence over even the most conscientious person.
Care should be used to ensure accuracy, clarity, and freedom from
bias. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives that designate persons can be
chosen to eliminate, or at least minimize, the possibility of ambiguity
in sex identity or sex role. In the following examples, concerns of
designation are divided into two subcategories: ambiguity of referent,
in which it is unclear whether the speaker or author means one or
both sexes, and stereotyping, in which the language conveys unsupported
or biased connotations about sex roles and identity.
Evaluation
Non-sexist language is free of implied or irrelevant evaluation of
the sexes. Difficulties may derive from the habitual use of cliches,
or familiar expressions, such as "man and wife." The use
of "man" and "wife" together implies differences
in the freedom and activities of each, and evaluation of roles can
occur. As listed among the examples that follow, "husband and
wife" are parallel, "man and wife" are not. Concerns
of evaluation, like concerns of designation, are divided into ambiguity
of referent and stereotyping.
UNH Guidelines for the Use of Nonsexist Language
"MAN" as
False Generic |
| Examples
of common usage |
Consider
meaning. An alternative may be better. |
Comment
or revision |
| 1. Man, like other mammals, breastfeeds
his young. |
Humans, like other mammals, breastfeed
their young. |
Changed to plural |
| 2. Man's search
for knowledge has led him into ways of learning that require examination. |
The search for knowledge has led
us into ways of learning that require examination.
People have continually sought knowledge. The search has led
them into ways of learning that... |
Rephrased.
Rewritten in two sentences. |
| 3. The use of experiments in psychology
presupposes the mechanistic nature of man.
man, mankind
man's achievements
the average man
to man a project
manpower
man's search for knowledge |
The use of experiments in psychology
presupposes the mechanistic nature of the human being.
People, humanity, human beings, humankind, men and women, we
human achievements, achievements of the human species
the average person, people in general
to staff a project, hire personnel, employ staff
workforce, personnel, workers
the search for knowledge
|
Noun substituted
The term MAN denotes an adult male human being and no longer
functions generically. For these examples, numerous true generic
alternatives that may be substituted are available.
If you choose to use a male generic, or if a text you are citing
uses a male generic, it is recommended that you note your awareness/concerns.
Collective and plural nouns substituted
Inclusive phrase substituted |
| 4. chairman (the
head of an academic department or organization)
chairman (presiding officer of a committee or meeting) |
Use chairperson
or chair.
chairperson, chair, moderator, discussion leader
|
Although "chairman"
is the "official term" in parliamentary usage, alternatives
are acceptable in most settings. |
| 5. Only freshmen are eligible for tutorial
assistance. |
Only first-year students are eligible
for tutorial assistance. |
"First-year students" is
an appropriate substitute. |
Generic "HE" as Referent |
| Examples of common
usage |
Consider meaning.
An alternative may be better. |
Comment
or revision |
| 6. The client is usually the best
judge of the value of his counseling. |
The client is usually the best
judge of the value of counseling.
Clients are usually the best judges of the value of the counseling
they receive.
The best judge of the value of counseling is usually the client.
|
Avoided use of the personal pronoun
Changed to plural
Rephrased
|
| 7. Subjects were
16 girls and 16 boys. Each child was to place a car on his board
so that two cars and boards looked alike. |
Each child was to place a car on
his or her board so that two cars looked alike...Each child
was to place a car on his/her board.
The children were to place cars on their individual boards...
|
Changed his to his/her or their;
however, use sparingly to avoid monotonous repetition. Her/his
(her or his) may also be used, but it is cumbersome. Keep pronoun
order consistent to avoid ambiguity.
Changed to plural |
| 8. Questions to consider in selecting
candidates:
Does the candidate have strong references? Does he have relevant
experience? Can he operate a forklift? Can he...? |
Questions to consider in selecting
candidates:
Does the candidate have strong references? Does he have relevant
experience? Can she operate a forklift? Can he...? |
Alternate gendered pronouns, keeping
in mind possible stereotyping that can occur. |
Gendered Stereotyping |
| Examples of common
usage |
Consider meaning.
An alternative may be better. |
Comment
or revision |
| 9. the professor...he
the secretary...she
the supervisor...he
the nurse...she |
the professors...they
the professor...she (or...he)
the secretaries...they
the secretary...he (or...she)
the supervisors...they
the supervisor...she (or...he)
the nurses...they
the nurse he (or...she) |
Be specific as to gender (if only
one gender is implied) or change to plural if discussing both
women and men.
|
|
10. woman doctor, male nurse,
lady lawyer, male teacher,
female poet, male secretary |
doctor, nurse,
lawyer, teacher,
poet, secretary |
Gender identification
was removed. Specify gender only if relevant and/or necessary
for discussion, i.e., "13 female doctors and 22 male doctors." |
|
11. foreman, policeman,
stewardess, housewife,
mailman |
supervisor, police officer,
flight attendant, homemaker,
postal worker/mail carrier |
Noun substituted. Directly specify
gender only if necessary and/or relevant to the discussion. |
|
12. ambitious men and aggressive
women
cautious women and timid men; cautious men and timid women
caring women and ambivalent men
outspoken men and abrasive women |
ambitious women and men or ambitious
people; aggressive men and women or aggressive people
cautious men and women or cautious people; timid women and
men or timid people
caring women and men or caring people; ambivalent men and women
or ambivalent people
outspoken men and women or outspoken people; abrasive women
and men or abrasive people |
Some adjectives, depending on
whether the person is describing a woman or a man, connote bias.
These examples illustrate some common usages that may not always
convey exact meaning, especially when paired as in
column one.
|
|
13. The boys chose typically male
toys.
The student's behavior was typically female.
He acts like an old woman in the way he . . . |
The boys chose (specify)...
The students behaved in the following way: (specify)...
He did the following: (specify)... |
Being specific reduces the possibility
of stereotypical bias. |
| 14. Thank the girls
in the office for typing the report. |
Thank the secretaries
in the office for typing the reports. |
Noun substituted |
| 15. coed |
female student |
Descriptive word and noun substituted |
| 16. women's lib,
women's libber |
women's movement,
feminist, supporter of the women's movement |
Noun substituted |
| 17. men and women, sons and daughters,
boys and girls, husbands and wives |
women and men, daughters and sons,
boys and girls, husbands and wives |
Vary the order to promote inclusivity. |
|
18. men and girls
the men and their wives
the women and their husbands |
men and women,
men and women,
women and men |
Use "equal" terms in order to denote gender equality.
|
| 19. Scientists are often separated
from their wives and children when their research requires them
to travel. |
Scientists are often separated from
their spouses and children...families... |
Alternate wording acknowledges that
women as well as men are scientists. |
| 20. He lets his wife teach part-time. |
She teaches part-time. |
The author of this example intended
to communicate the working status of the woman but inadvertently
revealed a stereotype about wife-husband relationships. |
| 21. mothering, fathering |
parenting, nurturing (or specify exact
behavior) |
A noun is substituted. Unless gender
is specifically implied, avoid gendering a non-gendered activity. |
| 22. I would like to thank my wife for
her patient support and the many cups of coffee. |
I would like to thank (name) for (specify). |
The author of this example intended
to express thanks but inadvertently revealed a stereotype about
women's contributions to their husbands' research. |
| 23. The University acknowledges the
assistance of Mrs. John Smith. |
The University acknowledges the
assistance of Doris Smith.
The University acknowledges the assistance of Doris Evans (Her
last name differs from her partner's.) |
Use given names in acknowledgments.
Use the appropriate form: Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss according to
the preference of the addressee or relevance of marital status.
Keep in mind that partners may not have the same last name. |
| 24. Dear Mr. and Mrs. John Smith |
Dear John and Doris Smith
Dear Mr. and Ms. Smith
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith |
The same use of appropriate form applies
in letters and other written correspondence. |
| 25. Dear Mrs. John Smith |
Dear Mrs. Doris Smith (or Ms.)
Dear Ms. Doris Evans (if wife and husband have different last
names) |
Whenever possible, especially with
ongoing correspondence, check with the addressee for his/her name
preference. |
A FINAL WORD
When using this handbook, keep in mind that attempting to introduce
nonsexist language at the cost of awkwardness, obscurity, or euphemism
does not improve communication. The use of nonsexist language is not
simply a matter of avoiding specific words or phrases, and these guidelines
are not prescriptions for all possible uses of nonsexist language.
Authors and speakers should indicate specific gender only in situations
in which a single gender is being discussed. Although quotations should
not be altered, writers and speakers should acknowledge the first
instance of gender bias to alert an audience. It is important, however,
that authors and speakers not hide gender identity when knowledge
of gender may be important to the reader or listener.
Any endeavor to change our language is a formidable task at best.
Some aspects of our language considered sexist are firmly embedded
in our culture and will only change with education and self-reflection.
On the other hand, with some rephrasing and careful attention to meaning,
even the generic "he" can be avoided most of the time. Again,
the purpose of these guidelines is to generate discussion and to facilitate
and promote accurate use of language.
RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
American Psychological Association, "Guidelines to Reduce Bias
in Language." Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association. 4th ed. Washington: APA, 1994, 46-60.
Frank, Francine Wattman, and Paula A. Treichler, with others. Language,
Gender, and Professional Writing: Theoretical Approaches and Guidelines
for Nonsexist Usage. New York: MLA, 1989.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers,
New York: MLA, 1995.
International Association of Business Communication. Without Bias:
A Guidebook for Nondiscriminatory Communication. Ed. J.E. Pickens,
P.W. Rao, and L.C. Roberts. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley, 1982.
Maggio, Rosalie. The Nonsexist Word Finder: A Dictionary of Gender
Free Usage. 1987. Boston: Beacon Press, 1989.
Miller, Casey and Kate Swift. The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing.
2nd ed. New York: Harper-Collins Publishing, 1988.
Schwartz, Marilyn and the Task Force of the Association of American
University Presses. Guidelines for Bias-Free Writing. Bloomington:
Indiana UP, 1995.
Sorrels, Bobbye D. The Nonsexist Communicator: Solving the Problems
of Gender and Awkwardness in Modern English. Englewood Cliffs:
Prentice-Hall, 1983.
Warren, Virginia L. "Guidelines for the Nonsexist Use of Language."
American Philosophical Association Proceedings , 59 (1986):
471-84.
If thought corrupts language, language also can corrupt thought.
- George Orwell
The language is perpetually in flux: it is a living stream, shifting,
changing, receiving new strength from a thousand tributaries,
losing old forms in the backwaters of time.
- E.B. White
For me, words are a form of action, capable of influencing change.
- Ingrid Bengis
The difference between the right word and the almost right word
is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.
- Mark Twain
Language exerts power, like a moon on the tides.
- Rita Mae Brown
In reality, all communication that debilitates females also
debilitates males, for if any system diminishes a part of the
species, it diminishes all of it.
- Bobbye D. Sorrels
Revision Editors:
Anne Righton Malone and Tracy Lonergan, 1996.
Rebekah Brooks, Sylvia Foster, and Julie Simpson, 2000.
Text copies of these Guidelines are available by request
at the commission office.
