Use of Gender Fair Language
Use of Gender Fair Language
Use of Gender Fair Language
Example:
Instead of discussing the problem (of not feeling any sexual excitement
and attraction toward her) with him candidly, she accused him of being
gay.
IV.ELIMINATE language that fosters
unequal gender relations.
1. Words and phrases which lack parallelism.
adopt parallelism in word choices
Example
• They were married in the City of Manila and lived together as
• man and wife. (Barreto Gonzalez v. Gonzalez)
2. Calling attention to a person's sex.
use gender-neutral terms
Example:
• Appellant, aged 20, was employed as a delivery boy. (People v. Cando
)
• It was done through her insistent request by reason of the fact that
she was on her way to motherhood. (People v. Pineda )
V. ELIMINATE sexist,language in quoted
rnaterial.
1. Sexist language in quoted material
paraphrase the quote using non-sexist language
Example:
• "The law considers what would be reckless, blameworthy, or negligent
in the man of ordinary intelligence and prudence and determines
liability by that.“ (Picart v. Smith, Jr., )
• In Picart v. Smith, Jr., the Supreme Court ruled that liability for
negligence is anchored on the standard of diligence obsessed by a
person of ordinary intelligence and prudence.
• "Indeed, a man is king in his own house.“ (City Engineer of Baguio and
Hon. Domogan v..Baniqued)
• Indeed, it has been said, that a person is the ruler of one's own home.
City Engineer of Baguio and Hon. Domogan v..Baniqued)
add sic in a direct quotation.
• "Despite the egalitarian commitment in the Declaration of
Independence that 'all men are created equal,' the framers of the
original Constitution of the United States omitted any constitutional
rule of equal protection.“ (Central Bank Employees Ass'n. v. Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas )
• "Despite the egalitarian commitment in the Declaration of
Independence that 'all men are created equal' [sic], the framers of
the original Constitution of the United States omitted any
constitutional rule of equal protection."
2. Distracting, pointless and gratuitous language which perpetuate stereotypes and double-meanings.
• Example:
•
• In People v. Amarela and Racho,64 the Supreme Court noted:
• "[Tioday, we simply cannot be stuck to the Maria Clara stereotype of a demure and reserved Filipino woman.
• We, should stay away from such mindset and accept the realities of a woman's dynamic role in society today;
she who has over the years transformed into a strong and confidently intelligent and beautiful person,
willing to fight for her rights.
• In this way, we can evaluate the testimony of a private complainant of rape without gender bias or cultural
misconception. It is important to weed out these unnecessary notions because an accused may be convicted
solely on the testimony of the victim, provided of course, that the testimony is credible, natural,
convincing, and consistent with human nature and the normal course of things. Thus, in order for us to
affirm a conviction for rape, we must believe beyond reasonable doubt the version of events narrated by
the victim."
WHY USE A NON-SEXIST LANGUAGE?
• Language is a very essential tool in communication.
• It promotes gender sensitivity
• It articulates consciousness
• It reflects culture
• It stem socialization.
Section 14, Article II of the 1987 Constitution
“State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall
ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men."
Republic Act 9710, otherwise known as the
"Magna Carta of Women,"
c. substituting
TRADITIONAL
articles (a, an. the) for his, using who instead of he
SUGGESTION
The writer should know his readers well. The writer should know the readers well.
The manager must submit his proposal today. The proposal must be submitted by the manager today.
2. Eliminate the generic use of MAN. Instead, use PEOPLE, PERSON(S),
HUMAN(S), HUMAN BEING(S), HUMANKIND, HUMANITY, and THE
HUMAN RACE.
TRADITIONAL SUGGESTION
ordinary man ordinary people
mankind, humanity
the brotherhood of man the human family
3. Eliminate sexism in symbolic representations of gender in words, sentences, and texts
by:
a. taking the context of the word, analyzing its meaning, and eliminating sexism
in the concept
TRADITIONAL SUGGESTION
feelings of brotherhood feelings of kinship
feelings of fraternity solidarity
the founding fathers the founders, the founding leaders
the Father of Relativity Theory the Founder of Relativity Theory,
the Initiator of Relativity Theory
b. finding precise words to delineate the thing itself from supposedly sex-linked characteristics
TRADITIONAL SUGGESTION
Titanic was a great ship, but she now rests at the Titanic was a great ship, but it now rests at the bottom
bottom of the sea. of the sea.
"Don't let Mother Nature rip you o ! She's out to kill "Don't let Nature rip you off! It's out to kill your car's
your car's new finish... Stop her..." finish... Stop it..."
4. Eliminate sexual stereotyping of roles by:
a. using the same term for both genders when it comes to profession or employment
TRADITIONAL SUGGESTION
8. Metaphors which reflect a male-centered view of the world or portray women as objects