Language as A Generic Issue

Gender Issues In Language Today's society is filled with generic terms, which can be used to address the human race. However, using terms like "man," "him," and "his" to refer to people in a broad sense, creates a feeling of sexism in the language.1 Because these terms have more than one meaning in today's society, they are instinctively taken at the meaning of an adult male. In spite of this, people still use these non-generic …

…and respect that they deserve. 1 Lillie, David A. Reducing Sexism In English, 2002, http://www.amuart.com/dal/wordsxm.html 2 Miller, Casey and Kate Swift, "Man As A False Generic." The Arch Of Experience, edited by Ian W. Mills and Judith H. Mills. Toronto1987 3 Miller and Swift, "Man As A False Generic." 4 Gelder, Lindsy Van, "The Great Person-Hole-Cover Debate." Essays: Thought and Style, edited by Brian Kellow and John Krisak. Scarborough 1987 5 Gelder, "The Great Person-Hole-Cover Debate"