Weekly GrammarTip

End Gender Bias!

 

 

Every day at ProofreadNOW, we are asked to find ways to correct gender bias in our clients' documents. The trouble is, it's sometimes hard to avoid bias and clumsiness at the same time. Here are some generalities, and then some specific suggestions so you can make your writing supremely acceptable.

When a singular noun of common gender serves as an indefinite antecedent (a doctor, any doctor, every doctor) or as a generic antecedent (the doctor, meaning "doctors in general"), the old-fashioned practice was to use he or his as a generic pronoun applying equally to males and females.

• The writer should include a table of contents with his manuscript.

When an indefinite or generic antecedent names an occupation or a role in which women statistically predominate (for example, the teacher, the secretary, the nurse), the old-fashioned practice was to use she as a generic pronoun.

• A secretary needs to organize her work and set priorities each day.

This traditional use of he and she as generic pronouns (as described above) is offensive to many people, who feel that the masculine bias in the word he makes it unsuitable as a pronoun that applies equally to women and men. Moreover, they feel that the generic use of he and she serves to reinforce stereotyped notions about men's and women's occupations or roles. The ideal solution would be a new generic pronoun without masculine or feminine connotations. However, until such a pronoun has been devised and accepted into common usage, consider various alternatives to the generic use of he or she.

1. Use he or she, his or her, or him or her. This solution works well in isolated cases but can be clumsy if repeated frequently in the same context. (In any case, avoid the use of he/she, s/he, and similar constructions.)
   • An instructor should offer his or her students challenging projects.
2. Change the wording from singular to plural.
   • Too many parents of teenage children often wonder where they went wrong.
3. Reword to avoid the generic pronoun.
   • When a customer calls, be sure to ask for a phone number. (Rather than: When a customer calls, ask him or her to leave his or her phone number.)
   • An assistant tries to anticipate the needs of the boss. (Rather than: An assistant tries to anticipate the needs of his or her boss.)

If the application of these various alternatives produces wordiness or an unacceptable shift in meaning or emphasis, then as a last resort use the generic he or the generic she. However, try to avoid doing so whenever possible.

 

Test Your Vocabulary!

Sufferin' Succotash!

It took us a while to recover from Cinco de Mayo. Sorry about the lapse. But once again, it's time to shake loose and sink your incisors into this week's stash of words!

1. bollix: (a) something that gives stability (as in character or conduct); (b) something that establishes or serves as a pattern; (c) to throw into disorder; (d) to present (as a product) in such a way as to heighten its appeal to the public.

2. prolix: (a) unduly prolonged or drawn out; (b) something spiral in form, with five sides; (c) something that is or can be readily made to serve one's personal ends [the world was her prolix]; (d) playful or mischievous actions.

3. baksheesh: (a) used to express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise; (b) payment (as a tip or bribe) to expedite service; (c) a dessert made of thin pastry, nuts, and honey; (d) a blouse worn by Turkish women.

4. blandish: (a) to coax with flattery; (b) to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner; (c) to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner; (d) strikingly out of the ordinary.

5. skosh: (a) a concave molding used especially in classical architecture in the bases of columns; (b) a large amount; (c) a small amount; (d) a moderate amount.

6. tarboosh: (a) sluggish; (b) something from which it is nearly impossible to extricate oneself; (c) (Tarboosh) former capital of Morocco; (d) a red hat similar to the fez worn especially by Muslim men.

7. ersatz: (a) worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact; (b) a pleasing appearance or effect; (c) the root of a ginseng; (d) being a usually artificial and inferior substitute or imitation.

8. schmaltz: (a) a Hungarian variant of malt, softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling; (b) sentimental or florid music or art; (c) affected with disease or ill health; (d) lacking vigor.

9. weltschmerz: (a) a thin usually wheat-flour pancake; (b) (Weltschmerz) the ancient name for Lower Saxony; (c) a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint; (d) mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state.

10. tosh: (a) to urge to be quiet; (b) sheer nonsense; (c) a horse's canine tooth; (d) a fund for bribing public officials or carrying on corruptive propaganda.

Here are the answers to today's Vocabulary Test!