Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
When writing, avoid using offensive terms when referring to an individual or group
of people.
Not:
But:
Not:
But:
Avoid expressions that stereotype a group of people, even when the stereotype is a
positive one.
Not:
But:
Generic Pronouns
Traditionally, the male pronouns were used to represent all members of a group,
regardless of gender. However, many readers feel that using the generic he and him
Not:
Please remind everyone to bring his notepad and pen or laptop to the meeting.
Mark each potential donor's name off the list after you have talked to him.
To fix this problem, one option is to use both the male and female pronouns.
But:
Please remind everyone to bring his or her notepad and pen or laptop to the
meeting.
Mark each potential donor's name off the list after you have talked to him or her.
Every person I talked to said he or she could come to the company party.
This construction can become distracting when overused, however. To avoid this,
you can also change the sentence to use the plural form of the pronoun. Make sure
when you do so that you change the noun that the pronoun refers to to the plural
form, as well.
Examples:
Please remind team members to bring their notepad and pen or laptop to the
meeting.
Mark potential donors' names off the list after you have talked to them.
All the people I talked to said they could come to the company party.
In longer texts, you can alternate the use of gender pronouns, using he in one
paragraph (or section, chapter, example, and so forth) and she in another, for
instance. (Keep in mind that some readers, however, may find this method
somewhat distracting.) If you use this method, try to use pronouns that counter
established stereotypes.
Examples:
On her first day of work, each airplane mechanic should complete all of the
necessary new-hire paperwork.
Every doctor should carry her pager with her when she is on call.
Before leaving work each day, the secretary should write down his most important
tasks to be completed the next day.
Or, you can also recast the sentence and remove the pronoun reference completely.
Examples:
On the first day of work, each airplane mechanic should complete all of the
necessary new-hire paperwork.
Before leaving work each day, the secretary should write down the most important
tasks to be completed the next day.
Some writers have responded to the singular pronoun problem by replacing the
generic he with the generic she. This simply replaces one gender bias with another,
however, and so this practice should likewise be avoided.
Not:
Each employee should record daily the hours she spends on each project.
After the three-month probation period, a new employee can elect her medical and
other benefits.
But:
Each employee should record daily the hours he or she spends on each project.
After the three-month probation period, a new employee can elect medical and
other benefits.
Though in speech we often use the plural pronoun with a singular noun (particularly
when preserving the anonymity of a person), this construction should be avoided in
formal writing.
Not:
Each member of the board denied that they were involved in the matter.
One staff member said they would not be able to attend the training.
Every manager agreed that they would come to the summit meeting.
But:
One staff member said he or she would not be able to attend the training.
The managers agreed that they would come to the summit meeting.
And finally, avoid such constructions as he/she and s/he,as they are awkward and
unattractive.
Not:
The release forms must be signed by each contractor before s/he can be hired.
Each new hire should bring his/her completed documentation on the first day of
work.
But:
The release forms must be signed by each contractor before he or she can be hired.
New hires should bring their completed documentation on the first day of work.
Word Choice
Do not use man, boy, and the like (or words containing such prefixes or suffixes) to
refer to both genders.
Not:
The firemen arrived on the scene shortly after the blaze started.
But:
The firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after the blaze started.
Gender Stereotypes
Do not reinforce social or occupational stereotypes. Do not include superfluous
information that unnecessarily differentiates between genders or calls attention to
the gender or gender role of an individual.
Not:
Mark Mendenhall, a manager, and Linda Decker, a supervisor and mother of two,
are vying for the position.
But:
Mark Mendenhall, a manager, and Linda Decker, a supervisor, are vying for the
position.
This rule applies when giving examples, as well. If you consistently use examples
that portray men and women in their "traditional" roles, you are reinforcing longheld stereotypes. Instead, use examples that challenge these stereotypes.
Not:
The men in our department are good employees as well as good breadwinners.
But:
The people in our department are good employees as well as good breadwinners.
Not:
The women on our staffthose who haven't left to become stay-at-home mother
are hard-working and loyal.
But:
The women [or better, the employees] on our staff are hard-working and loyal.
Gender-Neutral Terms
Biased
Unbiased
businessman
businessperson
chairman
clergyman
Congressman
fireman
firefighter
foreman
supervisor
mailman
mankind
manpower
Personnel, staff
policeman
police officer
salesman
salesperson
stewardess
flight attendant
waitress/waiter
server
Not:
They have hired several Japs in our department in the last year.
But:
A Polish family moved into their neighborhood last month. (Or, better, "A new family
moved into their neighborhood last month.")
They have hired several Japanese employees for our department in the last year.
(Or, better, "They have hired several Japanese employees for our department in the
last year."")
Such distinctions based on race should be made only if they are important to the
context. Otherwise, it is unnecessary and inappropriate to mention an individual's or
group's ethnicity.
In addition to racial slurs, racial bias also includes humor targeted at a particular
group. Such jokes are never appropriate.
As is the case with gender bias, racial and ethnic bias can be perpetuated by
thoughtless or repeated use of negative examples, such as referring to black
unmarried mothers receiving welfare or Mexicans being illegal aliens. Such
obviously biased, and generally exaggerated or inaccurate, examples should be
avoided.
Not:
I believe this region was once the primary home of the Eskimos.
But:
I believe this region was once the primary home of the Inuit people.
Not:
My manager, Mr. Winchester, just had his 50th birthday. Now he's definitely over the
hill.
Mrs. Jensen, that old biddy, sometimes requires too much of her employees.
But:
Also, avoid examples, illustrations, and jokes that are disrespectful or that reinforce
negative stereotypes based on someone's age.
Not:
But:
Luke Weston, a member of the working class, barely makes $15,000 a year. (Or
better: "Luke Weston makes $15,000 a year.")
Avoiding Euphemisms
When writing to avoid bias, it is also important to be cautious when using
euphemisms. A euphemism is a mild or vague word or phrase that is substituted for
one thought to be offensive or blunt. Such words should be avoided when they are
simply used in irony or derisively as a means of mocking political correctness.
Though they have their place (as when a speaker or writer is genuinely trying to be
tactful or sensitive to another's feelings), euphemisms can be unnecessarily wordy
and indirect. Therefore, when avoiding bias, use euphemisms appropriately.
Not:
When your hair turns white and your face has more character, talk to us about
helping you meet your long-term care needs.
Those in our country with a darker skin color are more susceptible to strokes.
But:
If you would like more information, talk to us about helping you meet your long-term
care needs.