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Sexism in Language

  • Ann Weatherall
    ,
  • Nancy A Naples
    ,
  • J Michael Ryan
    ,
  • Renée C Hoogland
    ,
  • Maithree Wickramsing
    ,
  • Wai Ching Angela Wong
Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Abstract

A broad array of language practices have been considered sexist, including terms of address that indicate the marital status of women (i.e., Miss versus Mrs.) but not men and the trivialization women's speech by the words used to describe it (e.g., as nagging or gossiping). An important debate has been whether sexism in language just reflects social beliefs and attitudes toward women or if it also helps to support and maintain sexism in society. Scientific studies have shown that language use does shape thinking and behavior in important ways. The negative impact of sexist language on women has led to non-sexist language policies in education and publishing. An ongoing issue that feminist language researchers highlight is the underrepresentation or misrepresentation of women on television and in social media.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1-2 (2 pages)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 21/04/2016

Publication status

Published - 21/04/2016

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc., Japan, Australia, United States, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Denmark

ISBN (Print)

9781405196949

ISBN (Electronic)

9781118663219

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626243
  • Scopus: 105026013240

Host publication title

The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies

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