In London during the 1980ies there were reports in the right-wing press, that socialist local councils like Hackney Council had to banish the word manhole by order of its Women’s Committee since the term was meant to be sexist. This is just one out of many incidences that came up during the political correctness debate. Since the eighties this phenomenon has occurred on the American campuses and developed rapidly to a publicly debated subject. This essay will deal with the phenomenon of the political correctness in the English language with the main focus on gender questions and feminist linguistics. The central question is if expressions like policemen or phrases like to be the master of the situation are really conceived as sexist by the majority of people and if replacing those by terms like “police officers” can solve the problem of sexist language use. Have the efforts to regulate or reform language been successful and can language be at all non-sexist or even neutral?
First of all, the term political correctness and politically correct are placed into a historical context explaining its roots and development before trying to define the concept. Furthermore, the importance of the political correctness debate for the Women’s Liberation Movement and the development of feminist linguistics will be explained.
The third chapter explains on which assumptions and theories the claimed language change is based on. The relation between language use and perception of the individual or of a group plays a central part. In the context of the political correctness debate the central question is in how far sexist language use, representation, the naming or not naming of women effects the perception and thinking of people.
The fourth chapter gives a description of the measures that were taken in order to influence language and language use. On the one hand, measures aimed at the regulation and sanction of sexist language and on the other hand, some more moderate and liberal measures intended the reformation of language in order to achieve more equality between women and men on a linguistic level. In how far have these measures been successful in increasing the awareness for discriminating language use?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition and historical background
2.1 Political correctness
2.1.1 Historical development of the terms Political Correctness and Political Correct
2.1.2 Definition
2.2 Women’s Liberation Movement and Feminist linguistic criticism
3. Language and thinking: Explaining the need for a language change
3.1 The Sapir-Whorf-hypothesis
3.2 The common gender/generic masculine
4. Measures of political correctness: Speech codes and language reforms
4.1 Speech codes
4.1.1 Legitimation of speech regulations
4.1.2 Arguments against speech regulations
4.2. Guidelines for non–sexist language
4.2.1 Development and purpose
4.2.2 The Handbook of Non-Sexist Writing
4.2.3 Effects and reactions
6. Conclusion
Research Objective and Key Themes
This academic essay examines the phenomenon of political correctness within the English language, with a particular focus on gender-inclusive discourse and feminist linguistics. The central research question investigates whether linguistic regulation, such as replacing gender-biased terms with neutral alternatives, effectively mitigates sexist perceptions or whether language is merely a reflective, rather than a deterministic, force in social thinking.
- The historical evolution of "Political Correctness" as a social and linguistic movement.
- The theoretical intersection between language, cognition, and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
- The critique of the generic masculine and its impact on the representation of women.
- Analysis of institutional mechanisms, including speech codes and language reform guidelines.
- The tension between preventing discrimination and preserving freedom of speech.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 The common gender/generic masculine
There have been many efforts to prove the validity of the principle of linguistic relativity, which has been described in the previous chapter. In 1993 Brigitte Scheele and Eva Gauler studied the validity of this concept in reference to the relation between gender and sexuality in the linguistic system (Greil 1998:108). The justification of feminist criticism would depend on if and in how far there would be empirical evidence for Whorf’s theory. The central question Scheele/Gauler pursued was in how far the linguistic representation and non-naming of women would influence the perception of them.
Feminist linguistic criticism did not only denounce language use but the language as a system as well. According to feminist critique there are linguistic phenomena in the form of discriminating metaphors that influence the perception of women. Amongst these sexist metaphors the common gender or generic masculine has established in the everyday language of English. A generic term or common gender is used to refer to a majority of nouns, which are independent from gender like survivor or author. The main criticism by feminists is that women would not be made visible by the use common gender although it does either refer to precisely to men.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the rise of the political correctness debate in the 1980s and sets the focus on gender-based linguistic reform.
2. Definition and historical background: Explores the etymological development of "Political Correctness" and its role within feminist movements.
3. Language and thinking: Explaining the need for a language change: Discusses the relationship between linguistic structure and human cognition via the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
4. Measures of political correctness: Speech codes and language reforms: Analyzes the implementation of speech regulations on university campuses and the introduction of non-sexist writing guidelines.
6. Conclusion: Evaluates the success of linguistic reform in raising awareness for discrimination while emphasizing that language influences, but does not dictate, perception.
Keywords
Political Correctness, Feminist Linguistics, Gender-inclusive Language, Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, Speech Codes, Generic Masculine, Language Reform, Discrimination, Linguistic Relativity, Social Labelling, Non-sexist Writing, Human Consciousness, Equality, Androcentrism, Freedom of Speech
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the phenomenon of political correctness in the English language, specifically addressing how language reflects or shapes societal views regarding gender.
What are the core thematic areas?
Key themes include the historical background of PC, the influence of language on perception (linguistic relativity), the critique of the generic masculine, and the impact of language reform policies.
What is the central research question?
The essay explores whether regulating sexist language effectively eliminates discrimination or if such efforts are limited, as language may influence but not fully determine human thought.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, reviewing existing linguistic theories, empirical studies, and historical debates on language policy and reform.
What does the main body cover?
It covers theoretical frameworks like the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the critical analysis of the generic masculine, and practical case studies of speech codes and non-sexist writing guidelines.
Which keywords characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Political Correctness, Feminist Linguistics, Speech Codes, Linguistic Relativity, and Gender-inclusive Language.
How did the term "Political Correctness" evolve?
Originally derived from Marxist-Leninist vocabulary to mean "correct party line," it was adopted by the New Left and later became a broader, often ironic, term for social regulation.
What is the "generic masculine" and why is it criticized?
It refers to the use of masculine nouns or pronouns to describe both sexes. Feminists criticize it because it renders women invisible in language and reinforces a male-dominated worldview.
What is the role of the "Handbook of Non-Sexist Writing"?
It serves as a primary example of a liberal approach to language reform, offering practical alternatives to gender-biased terminology to promote fair representation.
- Quote paper
- Thuy Nguyen (Author), 2007, Political correctness in the English language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115796
