A Person Paper on Purity in Languages

[pne]

An interesting article that John Cowan pointed out to me—using "black" vs "white" to talk about sexism in language (including, but not limited to, pronouns).

Comments

Re: chairwoman

[ladyortyger.livejournal.com]

I think 'chairperson' sounds stilted. I prefer chairman and chairwoman, but by no means do I advocate always switching it all the time.. just if applicable.

It does seem needless marking of gender, but that's the way this language has evolved, and I don't see much point in changing it right now.

Traditions that are physically harmful to minority groups? Sure, let's get rid of them. Traditions that aren't? Let's keep traditions alive.

Re: chairwoman

[kake]

Hofstadter's reasoning is (very roughly) that using, eg, "chairman" as both the gender-neutral and the male-specific confirms the idea of the "norm" being male and the female being a special case. See also "male secretary", "male model". More on this in GEB.

Re: chairwoman

[ladyortyger.livejournal.com]

I understood the reasoning, but I don't think it confirms that idea unless you let it.

See also 'mankind' and 'humanity'.

Re: chairwoman

[kake]

I said I was explaining it roughly :) You're best off reading the original than my mangling of it.