Can Gender-Fair Language Reduce Gender Stereotyping and Discrimination?

Frontiers in Psychology

Sabine Sczesny¹ 

关键词: gender stereotypes;    gender-fair language;    social discrimination;    gender equality;    social change;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00025

学科分类：心理学（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Gender-fair language (GFL) aims at reducing gender stereotyping and discrimination. Two principle strategies have been employed to make languages gender-fair and to treat women and men symmetrically: neutralization and feminization. Neutralization is achieved, for example, by replacing male-masculine forms (policeman) with gender-unmarked forms (police officer), whereas feminization relies on the use of feminine forms to make female referents visible (i.e., the applicant… he or she instead of the applicant… he). By integrating research on (1) language structures, (2) language policies, and (3) individual language behavior, we provide a critical review of how GFL contributes to the reduction of gender stereotyping and discrimination. Our review provides a basis for future research and for scientifically based policy-making.

【 授权许可】

CC BY