Sociolinguistic Aspects of Gender-(In)Sensitive Language in English and Slovak

Abstract

The paper dwells upon the study of sociological and linguistic aspects of gender-(in)sensitive language in English and Slovak. Gender stereotypes and their consequences in society, culture, and language are presented as a central theme, therefore in the initial chapter, the paper outlines gender socialisation and gender stereotypes in behaviour in general. The traditional division of roles in society influences the division of spheres in which both genders used to be realised: a public sphere for men and a private sphere for women. One way to achieve gender balance in society is using gender-sensitive policy through gender-sensitive language. Gender-insensitive language is most evident in the use of generic masculine, where the masculine gender is preferred when addressing or titling people. Similarly, the use of the masculine gender is predominant when referring to persons, under which both men and women are generally classified according to professions, functions and relationships. The aim of this paper is to highlight the declining tendencies of gender insensitive language on the one hand, as well as some persistent tendencies of the predominance of the masculine element in language on the other. So, the core of the paper is focused on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of expressions beginning with lexical morphemes “man” and “woman”. Our research revealed that there is still a strong dominance of the masculine element in terms of both quantity and quality. Nevertheless, one positive tendency may be observed in recent years as there are new tendencies to replace masculine nominal expressions with their collective equivalents addressed both to male and female audiences.

Keywords

• gender-sensitive language
• gender socialisation
• gender stereotypes
• generic masculine
• gender correct expression