1. How does your language deal with grammatical gender? Is it based on something clear-cut such as the form of the word e.g. words with particular endings are all feminine, or on biological considerations e.g. a male animal is masculine? In French, the feminine word 'Sainteté' is used to describe religious leaders; when describing the Pope (always male), this leads to a dilemma on the choice of article: le or la? This is called a 'natural- grammatical gender conflict'. Does your language have any of these?
2. Do you think that languages that have grammatical genders are more likely to discriminate against women?
Read article here: PC Language Reading
3. What is your reaction? What reaction did the author want you to have?
4. Would you ever use any of the phrases suggested in the article? Have you heard of any other examples of PC language?
5. Were you surprised that these language-use recommendations came from a university? Why/why not? Is it the role of universities to try and influence language use? Do universities in your country make similar recommendations?
6. Are there any other examples of political correctness in your society?
7. What are the arguments for and against politically correct language? Are the differences between people a reason to celebrate or a source of problems?
8. Is there a state institution that monitors the use of your country's language? Do they make recommendations on language use? Would you like to see any changes made to your language (spelling reform, simplification)?
9. "Language and society are constantly evolving and change is inevitable. We should be able to incorporate any societal change within the language." Do you agree?
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Situation
You are the head of the Gender Institute at ANU. Following the furore of the handbook's publication, you have been called to a meeting with the dean of the university (your teacher). Make your case regarding the handbook's content.
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Discuss quotes
“The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions of grammar.”
― Michel de Montaigne
“The idea that you have to be protected from any kind of uncomfortable emotion is what I absolutely do not subscribe to.”
― John Cleese
“If your social consciousness seems stuck in 1975, 2021 is gonna be a rough ride.”
― John Scalzi
“Political correctness waters down the arts. It's like getting a beer, when you need a scotch.”
― Robert Black
Student Handout PDF: PC Language
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