Gender-Fair Language Awareness Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which term should be avoided to refer to a group of humans in a non-sexist manner?

Humanity

People

Mankind (correct)

Individuals

When describing women's achievements, which approach is recommended?

Highlighting their roles independently of their gender (correct)

Comparing them unfavorably to men

Emphasizing their femininity

Only mentioning their appearance

Which of the following examples best demonstrates the use of non-sexist language?

The mailman delivered the letters.

The businessman made a large profit.

The chairwoman led the meeting.

The legislator presented a new bill. (correct)

How should pronouns be used to avoid sexism?

Omit pronouns or use plural forms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended practice to prevent implicit sexism in language?

Using neutral language that does not imply gender. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase should be avoided to prevent sexism in descriptions?

The wife of a famous author. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a non-sexist way to refer to a child learning skills?

Children should learn to cook. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a sexist term that should not be used?

Chairman Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of gender-fair language?

To reduce gender stereotyping and discrimination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes neutralization in gender-fair language?

Replacing male-masculine forms with gender-unmarked forms Signup and view all the answers

What does trivialization of women in language imply?

Making women's experiences seem unimportant Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to avoid sexism in language when the gender is unknown?

Avoid attaching sexist terms when the gender is unknown Signup and view all the answers

How does sexist language foster unequal gender relations?

By reinforcing sex-role stereotypes and microaggressions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggestion to avoid the introduction of sexism in language?

Avoid using stereotypical terms or roles Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of the invisibilization of women in language?

It assumes that men are the standard and women are not represented Signup and view all the answers

What term might be considered verbally abusive when referring to a man?

Mama's boy Signup and view all the answers

What does gender-neutral language aim to achieve?

To replace all gendered terms with non-specific terms Signup and view all the answers

What role does verbal abuse play in language usage regarding gender?

It can reinforce gender stereotypes and power imbalances Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of non-sexist language as opposed to sexist language?

Does not discriminate based on sex Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy involves making female referents more visible in language?

Feminization through the use of feminine forms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of stereotyping in language?

Reinforces unvarying patterns of behavior and perceptions Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to promote gender-neutral language?

Assuming gender based on appearance Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a proper strategy for becoming a non-sexist speaker or writer?

Communicating without prejudice or stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the impact of verbal abuse tied to gendered language?

It can be used as a tool to demean individuals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Sexist language is discriminatory and excludes women.
Use gender-fair language to promote equality.

Types of Sexist Language

Using "man" to refer to humans, e.g., "mankind" should be replaced with "humanity".
Describing women based on their sexuality or femininity, not applying the same standard to men.
Using masculine terms as prefixes and suffixes, e.g., "chairman" should be replaced with "chair".
Using masculine public servant titles, e.g., "congressman" should be replaced with "legislator".
Using masculine pronouns for unknown genders, e.g., "a doctor" should not assume male.
Using words that devalue women, e.g., "chick" or "cat" should be avoided.

Examples of Sexist Language

"Man was created by God to inhabit the earth."
"We are going to man the booth."
"A child should learn to tie his own shoes."
"A lawyer who wants to win his case will do his homework."
"Usherette" instead of "attendant".
"Bossy" for women and "boss" for men.
"Uncaring" for women working overtime and "providers" for men.

Strategies for Gender-Fair Language

Neutralization: Replace masculine terms with gender-neutral ones.
Feminization: Use feminine forms to make women visible.

Impact of Sexist Language

Sexist language perpetuates gender inequality.
It makes women invisible and trivializes their experiences.
It fosters unequal gender relations.

Examples of Sexist Language Usage

Using sexist terms when the gender is unknown.
Adding suffixes like "ess" or "ette" to make words feminine.
Stereotyping genders based on roles.
Using verbal abuse against women.

Becoming a Non-Sexist Speaker or Writer

Identify sexist language in your own communication.
Replace sexist terms with gender-fair alternatives.
Be mindful of the impact of your words.

Gender Polarization of Words

The use of adjectives can demonstrate how perceptions and language create unequal gender relations.
The personal care brand Dove used a campaign to highlight differences in perceptions of men and women.

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Description

This quiz explores the importance of using gender-fair language to promote equality. You will learn about various types of sexist language and how to replace them with more inclusive terms. Test your knowledge on how language can impact perceptions of gender.