A step too far perhaps?
An article in The Mail this morning informs us that Lecturers have been banned from using the
phrases ‘mankind’ and ‘man-made’ as part of a university’s clampdown on ‘gendered language’.
Cardiff Metropolitan University says the ‘politically correct’ words should be used to ‘promote
an atmosphere in which all students and staff feel valued’.
The rules are laid out in the institution’s Equal Opportunities Policy, which warns
contraventions could result in disciplinary action.
It says ‘inclusive language’ must be used throughout all academic programmes to comply with the
Equality Act as gendered words could be considered discriminatory.
Other rules include using ‘forename’ instead of ‘Christian name’ to avoid offending people of a
diverse range of faiths.
And staff should avoid using the phrase ‘wheelchair bound’ because it is ‘patronising and
pitying’, while ‘wheelchair user’ is ‘empowering’.
The document states: ‘Should individuals consider that in the course of interaction with
students or staff that this code has not been adhered to and that further action is required,
there are two courses of action.
‘For students please refer to the Bullying and Harassment Policy. For staff members the
Disciplinary procedure applies, as it does in the event of students talking inappropriately to
staff.’
It says that ‘politically correct terminology can change’ but lists a range of examples of words
and phrases which staff should avoid.
These also include ‘best man for the job’, ‘forefathers’, ‘housewife’, ‘man in the street’,
‘manpower’ and ‘right-hand man’.
Even terms such as ‘headmistress’ and ‘headmaster’ as well as Mrs and Miss are considered
offensive, according to the guide.
It also says staff should avoid ‘falling into the trap of making assumptions based on your own
cultural background.’
And it advises alternating the order of the genders when talking about women and men, he or she,
mother and father so that neither are given undue importance.
It adds: ‘If the gender of the person is unknown, don’t make an assumption, but use “he or she”
or, where appropriate, use the plural “they”.
‘Sexuality can be a minefield too, according to the policy, which advises against the terms
‘homosexual’ and ‘heterosexual’ because they are ‘laden with the values of a previous time’.
The new words to use are ‘same-sex’ and ‘other-sex’ relationships, the documents advises.
For disability, ‘the disabled’ is advised against and instead staff should refer to ‘people with
disability’.
I think I may be lost for words!
To read the full article click here
