SEXIST LANGUAGE

What is sexist language?

Sexist language is the use of words that unnecessarily distinguish between males and females. Such words are offensive to many and should be avoided. The use of alternative gender-neutral words is preferred:

Not These		These

stewardess		flight attendant

mankind			people

manpower		work force

workman			employee

spokesman		spokesperson

The use of female forms such as waitress, heiress, hostess, and actress is also declining.

Careful writers are sensitive to this issue and use female forms only when a definite need exists to signal a gender difference.

What salutations may be used to avoid objectionable gender distinctions?

The best salutation option to avoid objectionable gender distinctions is:

Ladies and Gentlemen:	or	Gentlemen and Ladies:

If the letter is going to a single individual whose name is unknown, one of the following may be used:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Dear Director:

Dear Personnel Manager:

Is it permissible to use he/she, s/he, hisorher , and other such forms of standard personal pronouns?

No. These hybrid forms are generally regarded as less than acceptable to English users and are not used. Several options are possible:

‚ Remove the pronoun.

	Not					But

Someone left (his? her?) manual.	Someone left a manual.

‚ Change the sentence to plurals.

	Not					But

Everyone must drive			All personnel must drive

(his? her?) own car.			their own cars.

‚ Use both the male and female pronouns.

Everyone must drive his or her car. 

Someone left his or her manual.