Sexism in English language has launched along with the vigorous development of women’s liberation movement since the end of 1960s. As a mirror reflecting the society, language images the social views and values. Sexism in society is thus inevitably reflected in the use of language.
The paper based on the analysis of sex discrimination in English explores that it is by no means an extinction of sexist language so long as the sexism in society exists. The causes of sexism in this thesis are the inequality between male and female. In ancient time, the thoughts that males host females and the treatment of women as inferiors to men are in vogue. Men are always at superior positions to women in the social economy, in the politics, as well as in the people’s traditional ideas, so the idea of sex discrimination has reflected in the language. The thesis summarizes the phenomena of sexism in English by using universal evidence, and they are shown and discussed in four aspects: English proverbs, English expressions, English vocabulary and the meanings of English words. Lastly, the thesis introduces two feasible strategies to erase sexism in English language, and they are: language reform and social reform. The most important one is to erase the sexist conceptions and improve women’s status, respect and support them. The language transformation can be realistic on the basis of the social reform.
Abstract .................................................................I
Key Words.................................................................I
摘要 .....................................................................II
关键字....................................................................II
Introduction .............................................................1
Ⅰ.A Definition to Sexism in English Language.............................2
Ⅱ. Sexism in English Language ...........................................3
A. Sexism in English Proverbs ...........................................3
1. Role Category.....................................................3
2. Manner Category ..................................................3
3. Marriage Category................................................ 4
B. Sexism in English Expressions....................................... 4
1. The Summary of Masculine Expressions on Two Genders.............. 4
2. Sex Orders in Expressions and Words.............................. 5
3. The Changes of Female Words’ Meanings........................... 5
C. Sexism in English Vocabulary ........................................6
1. Sex discrimination and Job Titles ................................6
2. Man and Woman.................................................... 6
D. Sexism in English Words’ Meanings.................................. 7
Ⅲ.The Causes of Sexism in English Language ..............................8
A. The Causes of Social Status and Power ................................ 8
B. The Effect of the Traditional Conceptions and Culture Consciousness ...8
Ⅳ.The Strategies of Eliminating or Avoiding Sexism in English ...........9
Language Strategies...................................................... 9
Population of Neutral Words and Expression............................... 9
Avoiding of the Generation of Masculine Words He .........................9
Ms. as an Alternative to Both Mrs. and Miss.............................. 10
Social Strategy ..........................................................10
Conclusion............................................................... 12
Acknowledgements .........................................................13
Bibliography............................................................. 14
