Re: Political Correctness Re: Manmonth or Peoplemonth?

["Brierley, Sean" <Brierley -at- QUODATA -dot- COM>]

I'm not sure I agree. However, I am uncertain with whom I do disagree.

1. I avoid gender-specific language and always find a crystal-clear term to
use.

2. This process, though sensitive  and politically correct, can be
troublesome because English seems so set up with a predominant use of the
masculine gender throughout the language.

3. I have observed, and it seems to me, that the use of the masculine is
non-gender specific in many instances, that he, man, his, etc., oftentimes
is a gender-neutral use.

4. But then, perhaps I am unduly biased because I am male??

Sean
sean -at- quodata -dot- com

>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Rebecca Stevenson [mailto:rstevens -at- HUBDATA -dot- COM]
>>>Sent: Monday, April 26, 1999 3:53 PM
>>>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>>>Subject: Re: Political Correctness Re: Manmonth or Peoplemonth?
>>>
>>>
>>>This is an issue of considerable contention right now in the English
>>>language. I understand that it is generally agreed that the
>>>"generic he"
>>>is in fact no such thing, as suggested by a number of
>>>linguistic studies
>>>(I can dig up references if anyone wants). There are still
>>>quite a few
>>>arguments going on over what to replace it with, of course.
>>>
>>>As a technical writer, I am under the impression that we are
>>>supposed to
>>>present our work in such a way as to be clear and effective for the
>>>user. I include the goal of not offending said users in the
>>>first two.
>>>Whatever one may personally think of the debate, one must (I am
>>>repeatedly told) keep the users in mind.
>>>
>>>In this particular situation, "work hours" seems to cover the
>>>requirements nicely. Its meaning is clear and it does not
>>>suggest that
>>>your work force is composed solely of the male gender.
>>>
>>>BTW, suggesting that anyone concerned with the question suffers from
>>>immaturity is not, IMO, a productive way to address the issue.
>>>
>>>My $.02, adjusted for inflation....
>>>
>>>Rebecca Stevenson
>>>Technical Writer
>>>Hub Data, Inc.
>>>617-602-3141
>>>http://www.hubdata.com
>>>
>>>
>>>=============================================================
>>>==============
>>>Send commands to listserv -at- listserv -dot- okstate -dot- edu (e.g.,
>>>SIGNOFF TECHWR-L)
>>>
>>>


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