A Brief Discussion of Sexism in English Language and Its Social Roots

[Abstract] This paper centers on the sexism in English. Since the feminism in 1960s, sexism in language has been an important research subject for feminist linguists. By looking at the sexism in English and relating it to the relevant linguistic theories, this paper attempts to make a study of sexism through comparison and exemplification.
In terms of grammar, masculine pronouns he, his and him are used generically, which make women invisible in language. Semantically, the terms and expressions related to males usually have neutral or commendatory meanings while their female counterparts are derogatory. The asymmetry in the representation of women and men in English is reflected in the naming and addressing practices. Women are named after their husbands’ family name after marriage. Men are addressed according to their social status. Another practice is shown in the word order. Usually words referring to males are put ahead, such as boys and girls, king and queen. Many proverbs are used to show contempt for women or demonstrate women’s low status. And in English slang, women are compared as food, plants and animals, which shows women’s role of being appreciated and tasted.
Sexism in English is deep-rooted. From historical perspective, th无忧论文 【http://www.uklunwen.com】e Christian tradition in the West is men-centered and sex-biased. Women in daily life are often restrained at home for housework and child-care and dependent on men, so women’s social status is low. Of course, this is mirrored in language. By socialization, sexism has been accepted as social psychology. The eliminating of linguistic sexism lies in social change. Only by changing the social structure, that is, women and men really enjoy equal status, can language equality be truly achieved.
[Key Words] sexism; English language; social roots

浅议英语中的性别歧视及其社会根源

【摘 要】 英语语言中存在着根深蒂固的性别歧视。自二十世纪六十年代女权运动以来，语言中的性别歧视一直是女权主义语言学家研究的重要课题。本文以英语中的性别歧视现象为切入点，结合语言学的相关理论，通过比较、举例等方法浅析了英语中的性别歧视现象及其根源。
从语法上看，阳性代词“he, his, him”被用于泛指，使语言排斥女性。从语义特征上讲，同一单词用于指男性时通常呈中性或褒义，用于指女性时则呈贬义，甚至与性有关。在命名和称谓方面，女性在婚后必须随夫姓；而对男性的称呼常体现其社会地位。在词序上一般是男性放于女性前，如boys and girls, king and queen.。在俗语方面，许多谚语体现了对女性的蔑视或她们低下的地位。在俚语中，女性被比作食物、植物和动物，体现女性处在被观赏和被品位的地位。
究性别歧视的根源，从本质上讲语言上的性别歧视是社会中性别歧视的体现。西方基督教以男性为中心，生活中女性扮演着持家生儿育女的角色，依附于男性。因此女性社会地位低下，通过社会化的作用，这种歧视演变成了一种社会心理。要最终消除语言中的性别歧视取决于社会变化，社会结构改变了，即男女真正拥有平等的地位，语言中的平等才有可能实现。
【关键词】 性别歧视；英语语言；社会根源

1. Introduction
A riddle is making the rounds like this: A man and his young son were in an automobile accident. His father was killed and the son, who was seriously injured, was immediately sent to a hospital. As attendants wheeled the unconscious boy into the emergency room, th