Page 116 - Šolsko polje, XXXI, 2020, 5-6: Teaching Feminism, ed. Valerija Vendramin
P. 116
šolsko polje, letnik xxxi, številka 5–6
Picture 2: Lexicography at work in gender-(non)neutral language: noun
human (The Oxford-DZS Comprehensive English-Slovenian Dictionary)
The systematic definition of feminine agent nouns as derivatives of
masculine nouns is another aspect of male-centric language that has been
common in foreign language practice (e.g. Béjoint, 2000, pp.133–134, in
Gorjanc, 2012, p. 206). There are 786 instances of the definition “feminine
form of ” in SSKJ (e.g. asistentka (Eng. teaching assistant), docentka (Eng.
assistant professor), državljanka (Eng. (female) citizen), the examples of
which are all too often stereotypical or even morally and ethically contro-
versial in the face of social reality. Gorjanc (ibid.) cites, among others, an
example with the label “expressive” in “he will beat her black and blue”.7
In summary, lexicographic discourse has the power to promote or com-
bat harmful ideologies such as sexism, homophobia, racism or anti-immi-
grant sentiments.
New Stereotyping or Re-Traditionalisation of Social Roles
In light of what has been said, it is all the more surprising that the prac-
tice of entrenching gender roles and stereotypes has expanded in recent
decades. One example may be the increasing tendency to separate “books
for girls” from “books for boys”, as found on reading lists in schools. This
trend can be seen equally well in public libraries, where books are divid-
ed into “blue” and “pink/red” categories, as found in some young adult
7 This was later edited to “he will beat him black and blue”.
114
Picture 2: Lexicography at work in gender-(non)neutral language: noun
human (The Oxford-DZS Comprehensive English-Slovenian Dictionary)
The systematic definition of feminine agent nouns as derivatives of
masculine nouns is another aspect of male-centric language that has been
common in foreign language practice (e.g. Béjoint, 2000, pp.133–134, in
Gorjanc, 2012, p. 206). There are 786 instances of the definition “feminine
form of ” in SSKJ (e.g. asistentka (Eng. teaching assistant), docentka (Eng.
assistant professor), državljanka (Eng. (female) citizen), the examples of
which are all too often stereotypical or even morally and ethically contro-
versial in the face of social reality. Gorjanc (ibid.) cites, among others, an
example with the label “expressive” in “he will beat her black and blue”.7
In summary, lexicographic discourse has the power to promote or com-
bat harmful ideologies such as sexism, homophobia, racism or anti-immi-
grant sentiments.
New Stereotyping or Re-Traditionalisation of Social Roles
In light of what has been said, it is all the more surprising that the prac-
tice of entrenching gender roles and stereotypes has expanded in recent
decades. One example may be the increasing tendency to separate “books
for girls” from “books for boys”, as found on reading lists in schools. This
trend can be seen equally well in public libraries, where books are divid-
ed into “blue” and “pink/red” categories, as found in some young adult
7 This was later edited to “he will beat him black and blue”.
114
