Avoid sounding insensitive and old-fashioned. Use gender-sensitive terms in your writing.
What is the best gender-sensitive alternative to this kind of dated language? Try to give at least one for each of the following:
– mankind, womankind
– man-made
– the common/ordinary man
– manageress, authoress, actress
– air stewardess/hostess
– chairman, chairwoman
– to man the phones, to man the helpdesk
– postman, postwoman
– policeman, policewoman
– Dear Mrs. Smith, Dear Miss Smith,
– Dear Sir, (for an unknown recipient)
Rewrite these sentences from staff rules and regulations to make them gender inclusive.
The HR policy on sabbatical leave manages to avoid gender-specific reference by using plurals or other techniques.
- A staff member is required to report on ………. project upon completion of the sabbatical leave.
- If the staff member has not identified or accepted a suitable placement at the expiry of SLWOP or its extension(s), …. will be separated from service in accordance with the UN Staff Regulations and Rules or the terms specified in the letter granting the approval for SLWOP.
- A conflict of interest occurs when, by act or omission, a staff member’s personal interests interfere with the performance of …… official duties and responsibilities or with the integrity, independence and impartiality required by the staff member’s status as an international civil servant.
Answer key
Suggested alternatives:
– mankind, womankind = humankind, humanity, human race
– man-made = artificial; machine-made; synthetic
– the common/ordinary man = the average person
– manageress, authoress, actress = manager, author, actor (neutral term for men and women)
– air stewardess/hostess = flight attendant
– chairman, chairwoman = chair
– to man the phones, the helpdesk = to answer the phones, to staff the helpdesk
– postman, postwoman = postal officer, postal worker
– policeman, policewoman = police officer
– Dear Mrs. Smith, Dear Miss Smith, = Dear Ms. Smith, (Mrs. = married; Miss = unmarried)
– Dear Sir, (for an unknown recipient) = Dear Sir/Madam,
1 their / his or her (NB. ‘his or her’ is acceptable, but ‘they’ is more common today)
2 they / he or she (NB. ‘he or she’ acceptable, but ‘they’ is more common today)
3 their / his or her
________________________________________________
Author: Carol Waites
Presentation/editing by Christina O’Shaughnessy
https://worldwidewriting.org/ ________________________________________________
Carol Waites (PhD)
Email: carolswritingtips@gmail.com
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