Contents
Abstract………………………………………….…………………I
Key Words………………………………………………….I
摘 要Ⅱ
关键词.….…………Ⅱ
Introduction……………………………………………………………………1
I. Phenomena of Sexism in the English Language….2
A. Male-as-norm Attitude……………………………………………………2
1. Generic Pronouns………………………………………………………….2
2. Female as Male’s Appendix.…….………………………………………….2
3. Woman as Exception………….……………….……………………….….3
B. Semantic Degradation of Woman………………………………….……….4
C. Word Order…………………………………………………………………5
D. Sexism in Social Life………………………………………………………5
E. Sexism in Proverbs and Idioms.6
II. Reasons of Sexism in the English Language.7
A. “Patriarchy” Cultural Stereotype…………………………………………….7
B. Double Criterion of Discourse Hegemony…………………………………8
C. “Sex Role” in Community ………………………………………………10
D. Results of Theory of Social Identity………………………………………11
E. Traditional Ethics that the Man is Superior to the Woman…………………11
III. Elimination of Sexism in the English Language……….……………………….12
A. Transformation-Sexist Words Transformed Into Nonsexist Words…….12
B. Countermeasures to Sexism Caused by the Third Person Pronoun’s General Reference…………………………………………………………………14
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………16
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………17
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………….18
Abstract
Language plays an important role in society. As a phenomenon of society, language reflects all the sides of human society naturally. Sexism is a phenomenon that takes a male-as-norm attitude, trivializing, insulting or rendering women invisible. As a special social phenomenon, sexism is inevitably reflected through language.
To start with, the thesis analyses sexism in terms of the generic masculine words, word order and semantic derogation of women in greater detail. Then the thesis traces the reasons for the occurrence of sexism in the English language. In nature, sexism in language reflects sexism in society. The two are closely related. Social connotations of sexism in English tell the relationship between phenomenon of sexism in language and essence of sexism in society. Finally, a large part of the thesis is contributed to how to change sexism in English. The thesis thinks that the key to the problem is: (1) to use nonsexist words instead of sexist words; (2) to solve the problem of generic masculine pronouns. The elimination of linguistic sexism lies in social change. Only by changing the social structure, that is, women and men own really equal status, can language equality be truly achieved.
Key Words
sexism; phenomenon; reasons; elimination
摘 要
语言在社会中所处的地位尤为重要。作为一种社会现象的语言，必然会反映出人类社会各种社会观念。性别歧视作为这其中的一种，是指把男性视作社会规范和中心，轻视，侮辱女性或使她们显得微不足道，而这一特定的社会现象必然会在语言中折射出来。
论文首先从阳性词泛指，词序，词义的贬降等方面对英语中的性别歧视现象进行了详细的分析。接着论文剖析了英语中性别歧视现象形成的根源。从本质来说，英语语言中的性别歧视是社会中性别歧视的体现。两者紧密相连。性别歧视的社会内涵反映的就是这种语言中的性别歧视现象与社会中的性别歧视的本质的关系。最后论文还着力探讨如何改变这种歧视。本文认为，改变英语语言中性别歧视现象要解决以下2个问题：(1)避免使用性别歧视词；（2) 避免阳性代词的泛指。语言中的性别歧视的最终消亡取决于社会变化，只有改变社会结构，即男女真正拥有平等的地位，语言中的平等才能真正实现。消除语言中的性别歧视的根本在于实现男女的平等的社会变革。
关键词
性别歧视；现象；原因；消除
