The hidden impact of gendered language
The Hindu
Explore the influence of gendered language on social perceptions and discover inclusive alternatives for clearer communication.
“Does the word ‘guys’ (the plural of ‘guy’) refer only to males, or can it refer to people of any gender?”
A few days ago, I received this question from a reader of this column. She wrote: “I found your explanation of the gender-neutral singular pronoun ‘they’ quite interesting. It made me wonder about other gender-neutral words used in English.”
It’s a good question. While guy as a singular typically refers to a boy or a man, the plural form (guys) is generally considered gender-neutral in informal conversation. It can refer to a group of people regardless of gender, as in this example: “Guys, I hope you understand the difference between gendered and gender-neutral words.”
PHOTO: Freepik
However, many advocates of gender-neutral language feel that the use of guys still reinforces male-centric language. They suggest alternatives such as everyone or folks, as in “Hey everyone” or “Hey folks.”
Read this imaginary news report:
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CBI summons TVK chief Vijay for questioning in the Karur stampede case, following previous inquiries and a Supreme Court directive.
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Explore the influence of gendered language on social perceptions and discover inclusive alternatives for clearer communication.
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