Gender
There is still an assumption in the English language for 'male' terminology to prevail as the norm and for women often to be invisible or subsumed into 'male' language.
Gender-neutral terms reinforce and reflect the reality of roles and families today. Clarity in language is achieved by the removal of ambiguities and misleading assumptions about the roles of men and women in society.
| Word and phrases to avoid |
Some alternatives to consider |
man
|
humans, humankind, women and men, man and woman
|
| chairman/ woman |
chair, chairperson, convener |
man in the street
|
ordinary people, average person
|
| manpower |
workforce, staff, employees |
| manning |
staffing |
| workmanlike |
efficient, thorough, proficient
|
man of letters
|
scholar, academic
|
| headmaster, headmistress |
headteacher |
actress
|
actor |
| air steward, stewardess |
flight attendant, cabin crew
|
| taxman |
tax collector/inspector
|
| man hours |
hours worked
|
| man management |
people management
|
| the girls in the office |
office staff/the women in the office
|
| ladies |
women (except when used in conjunction with gentleman)
|
| This short guide does not attempt to cover these issues comprehensively, but if you are interested in finding out more about Equal Opportunities issues in general then contact STDU for details of training opportunities. |
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