Gender Neutrality in English Language: A Tool for Gender Sensitization

Name of Author : Dr. Manjusha Patwardhan

Abstract: The key to the world of culture is a system of symbols that enables people to communicate with one another. Language is not only the medium of communication but it is also the key to cultural transmission- the process by which one generation passes the culture to the next. Throughout human history, every society has transmitted its culture through language. Many scholars have contributed to the field of Cultural Studies and Linguistics to show how language reflects culture and its ideology. Patriarchy as an ideology is found in many cultures around the globe. The language in these groups reflects the patriarchal ideology. With changing times in the contemporary society, feminists are trying to create awareness about how language needs to be reformed in order to make it ‘Gender-neutral’. In this paper an attempt has been made to study the reflection of patriarchal ideology in English language. The paper also focuses on the need to develop gender-neutral and gender-inclusive language.

Keywords : Culture, Language, Patriarchy, Gender-neutrality, Gender-inclusion, Gender-sensitization

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