Gender Representation

Question 1

What are gendered terms?

Answer 1

Terms that prefix names and represent titles or positions

Examples include Dr, Reverend, Mr, Mrs, Lady, Lord, Sir, Madam

Question 2

What are gender-neutral pronouns?

Answer 2

Pronouns that do not specify gender, often using plural forms like ‘they, them, theirs’

Also includes neopronouns like xe/xem or ze/zim

Question 3

What is the Sapir- Whorf hypothesis?

Answer 3

Linguistic determinism, The theory that the particular language one speaks influences the way one thinks about reality

Question 4

How do languages with two words for blue affect color identification?

Answer 4

They can identify colors quicker

Question 5

What is male generic language?

Answer 5

Language intended to be general but reflects ideas of males as most important

Examples include terms like mankind and manmade

Question 6

What does lexical asymmetry refer to?

Answer 6

The imbalance of two words that seem to match but have different connotations

Examples include wizard/ witch and master/mistress

Question 7

What is androcentrism?

Answer 7

A male-centered worldview prevalent due to patriarchy, limiting female representation

Question 8

What is the impact of patriarchy on gender representation?

Answer 8

It holds power in society and excludes women from representation

Often summarized as ‘the rule of the Father’

Question 9

What are female suffixes?

Answer 9

Suffixes added to words to identify them as female, often making them sound weaker

Common suffixes include ‘-ess’ and ‘-ette’ Eg: Waitress

Question 10

What distinguishes marked and unmarked terms?

Answer 10

Unmarked terms do not specify gender, while marked terms identify a gender

Examples: actor (unmarked) vs. actress (marked), god (unmarked) vs. goddess (marked)

Question 11

What is the significance of using the term ‘man-made’?

Answer 11

It reflects male-centric language and reinforces gender stereotypes

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The theory that language influences thought is known as _______.

Answer 12

Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (linguistic determinism)

Question 13

What does the term ‘gender stereotypes’ refer to?

Answer 13

Preconceived notions about the roles and behaviors appropriate for men and women

Question 14

What is the implication of overrepresentation of males in language?

Answer 14

It can lead to a perception that male experiences and perspectives are more valuable

Question 15

What are promiscuous terms in the context of language?

Answer 15

Terms that have negative or sexual connotations when referring to females

Question 16

Who is the author of ‘man made language’ and when was it published?

Answer 16

Dale Spender, Published in 1980

Question 17

What does Dale Spender argue about language in society?

Answer 17

Our language used is biased against women

Question 18

What is the significance of ‘acceptable and commonplace words’ in Spender’s argument?

Answer 18

They reflect experiences that express male domination

Question 19

What examples does Spender provide to illustrate male domination in language?

Answer 19

Policeman, fireman, mankind

Question 20

What happens to surnames after marriage that supports Spender’s arguements

Answer 20

They often change, typically to the husband’s surname

Question 21

What did linguist Julia Stanley find in her 1977 study regarding promiscuous terms for females?

Answer 21

220 terms for females and only 20 for males

Question 22

Fill in the blank: According to Dale Spender, language often shows _______ domination.

Answer 22

male

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Stanley identified 220 terms for females and only _____ for males.

Answer 23

20