Language
- Thread starter Dustydog
- Start date
- May 7, 2012
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The phrases will die out, but those arguing against them need to look for something more important to bleat about. People spend far too long looking for problems in our language and personally I am sick of it and will carry on as before in most cases. I can see the point of some but most are simply over the top.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Strange as even when I worked in Canada and US in the mid 80s “ guys” was gender neutral.
Mel
Moderator
- Mar 17, 2007
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Dunno about “guys” but when “girls” is applied to women ( especially by a man who considers himself in a position of authority) then it further emphasis the power imbalance between men and women, and diminishes the position of women.
For example, we used to have a fire officer at the hospital who, during training, repeatedly referred to his audience of professional women as “girls”. I did point out that I had passed puberty some years ago.
It is not about being PC for the sake of it. What is more important is recognising how our use of language often reinforces power differences or stereotypes. “Girls” or worse”Girlies” is a pet hate of mine. Women can get away with using it with other women (just about) as there is not the same power difference.
Mel
For example, we used to have a fire officer at the hospital who, during training, repeatedly referred to his audience of professional women as “girls”. I did point out that I had passed puberty some years ago.
It is not about being PC for the sake of it. What is more important is recognising how our use of language often reinforces power differences or stereotypes. “Girls” or worse”Girlies” is a pet hate of mine. Women can get away with using it with other women (just about) as there is not the same power difference.
Mel
Mel
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- Mar 17, 2007
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Certainly not being offended for the sake of it. Indeed not offended at all. Never offended. If a man or woman holds a door open for me, always grateful for their thoughtfulness and kindness. Would hope that any man or woman that I hold a door for would feel the same.
I don’t do offended. What I was merely pointing out is that there are lots of small ways that inequalities are perpetuated. Women still do not have true equality in Britain today, and certainly not globally. The language we use is a small but important contribution to this. We all have unconscious bias in our approach to others. All I want folk to do is think about theirs.
Mel
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
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Anything that's taken to extremes eventually becomes ridiculous and political correctness is no exception.
On this forum we try to be careful what is published because we're representing Practical Caravan forum online in many ways.
We try to steer clear of disparaging comments about gender, sexuality or disability and, as one or two forum members will realise 😊, we don't allow 'industrial language' to appear on the message boards because that sort of thing wouldn't appear in the magazine.
Having said all that, some people nowadays are quite prepared to be 'offended' at every opportunity.
Society has become very judgemental, everybody has a voice on social media and some minority interests seem to have a louder voice because they act collectively.
Society has reached the sorry stage whereby they're hesitant to describe a male a man and female as a woman in case it causes 'offence'.
We're not prepared to take PC as far as that here.
I agree with Mel however, we need to be careful of our unconscious bias to embrace all aspects of equality, that's not extreme it's common sense.
On this forum we try to be careful what is published because we're representing Practical Caravan forum online in many ways.
We try to steer clear of disparaging comments about gender, sexuality or disability and, as one or two forum members will realise 😊, we don't allow 'industrial language' to appear on the message boards because that sort of thing wouldn't appear in the magazine.
Having said all that, some people nowadays are quite prepared to be 'offended' at every opportunity.
Society has become very judgemental, everybody has a voice on social media and some minority interests seem to have a louder voice because they act collectively.
Society has reached the sorry stage whereby they're hesitant to describe a male a man and female as a woman in case it causes 'offence'.
We're not prepared to take PC as far as that here.
I agree with Mel however, we need to be careful of our unconscious bias to embrace all aspects of equality, that's not extreme it's common sense.
- Nov 16, 2015
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Well said that Man/chap/lad/person,, buyer of the next round.🍻
- Jun 20, 2005
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- Nov 11, 2009
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I couldn't possibly render our two cars gender neutral by referring them as "it" but I draw the line at personification.
- Jun 20, 2005
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- Nov 11, 2009
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- Jun 20, 2005
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My brother still has Doris and Gladys a fine brace of Bantams. Mine was an old BSA C15Looking for the emoji to save yourself I see.
I've never called any piece of equipment by a gender term or personal name - although sometimes my computers get refered to by names that would get me banned if I reported them here.
I have wondered if machines develop personalities so I've always tried to get on the best side of them. The office photocopier/printer/scanner used to hate me though.
My wife does call our caravan Dora the Explorer.
I have wondered if machines develop personalities so I've always tried to get on the best side of them. The office photocopier/printer/scanner used to hate me though.
My wife does call our caravan Dora the Explorer.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Many years ago, 53 to be precise, I uttered these words "With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you".
But the cars are now "yours or mine"
But the cars are now "yours or mine"
Many years ago, 53 to be precise, I uttered these words "With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you".
But the cars are now "yours or mine"
You said this to your cars?
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