Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / World News / 30,000 ask Oxford dictionary to change its definition of 'woman'
  • World

    30,000 ask Oxford dictionary to change its definition of 'woman'

    Siddhant Pandey
    Written by
    Siddhant Pandey
    Twitter
    Last updated on Sep 19, 2019, 05:39 pm
    30,000 ask Oxford dictionary to change its definition of 'woman'
  • Language was constructed around age-old sexist notions and traditions which have trickled down to the present day lexicon. And if you happen to disagree, here's some damning evidence.

    A recent online petition has underlined how the word 'woman' is defined as 'bitch' and 'piece' among other things in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), regarded as the most widely accepted dictionary.

  • In this article
    Words like 'bitch, besom, mare, wench' define 'woman' Example sentences, phrases also reflect sexism 'Bravery, spirit, or toughness' defined as qualities of men The petition presents these three demands Google, Bing have since started attributing definitions to Oxford Martin says definitions are based on real-life usage 'Dictionary changes to reflect new lexical terrain' Blog post doesn't address our concerns, rather patronizes campaign: Giovanardi
  • Petition

    Words like 'bitch, besom, mare, wench' define 'woman'

    Words like 'bitch, besom, mare, wench' define 'woman'
  • The petition, titled 'Change Oxford Dictionary's Sexist Definition of 'Woman,' was started in June by one Maria Beatrice Giovanardi who noticed how differently 'man' and 'woman' were defined.

    It states, "'Bitch, besom, piece, bit, mare, baggage, wench, petticoat, frail, bird, bint, biddy, filly'- these are the words which the Oxford's English Dictionary online tells us mean the same as 'woman'. This sexist dictionary must change."

  • Other issues

    Example sentences, phrases also reflect sexism

  • Synonyms aside, the dictionary also uses sexist phrases as example sentences under the definition of 'woman'. Some of them are as listed below:

    "Don't be daft, woman!" 
"One of his sophisticated London women"
 "I told you to be home when I get home, little woman."

    The petition reads, "These examples show women as sex objects, subordinate, and/or an irritation to men."

  • ‘Man’ definition

    'Bravery, spirit, or toughness' defined as qualities of men

    'Bravery, spirit, or toughness' defined as qualities of men
  • On the contrary, the definition of 'man' projects them as workers, soldiers.

    One definition lists "bravery, spirit, or toughness" as qualities of men.

    In example phrases, the dictionary unnecessarily includes "She was more of a man than any of them," attaching the connotation that women are weaker than men, and exhibiting strength makes a woman "manly" as if strength was inherently a man's trait.

  • Demands

    The petition presents these three demands

  • Now, the petition presents these three demands:

    "Eliminate phrases and definitions that discriminate against and patronize women and/or connote men's ownership of women."

    "Enlarge the dictionary's entry for 'woman.'"

    "Include examples representative of minorities, for example, a transgender woman, a lesbian woman, etc."

    It notes, "If we want to create an equal society, we need language fit for the 21st century that doesn't discriminate against women."

  • Response

    Google, Bing have since started attributing definitions to Oxford

    Google, Bing have since started attributing definitions to Oxford
  • Since the petition, the search engines Google and Bing have started attributing the definitions to the Oxford dictionary.

    Meanwhile, Katherine Connor Martin, Oxford's Head of Lexical Content Strategy took note of the petition in a blog post and attempted to rationalize why such definitions were included for the term 'woman'.

    Martin said there's "nuance to how words are defined and presented in our dictionaries."

  • Explanation

    Martin says definitions are based on real-life usage

  • Martin explained that the definitions are based on large quantities of evidence from real-life use which set the tone of how 'man' and 'woman' are used and defined.

    She said, "People speak of a 'man about town' but rarely of a 'woman about town'; of a 'ladies' man' but not a 'gentlemen's lady'; of 'womanly' curves and wiles, but 'manly' handshakes and jawlines."

  • Quote

    'Dictionary changes to reflect new lexical terrain'

    'Dictionary changes to reflect new lexical terrain'
  • Martin wrote, "As the usage of English speakers changes over time, the dictionary changes to reflect that new lexical terrain."

    She added, "The current cultural moment has seen an increasing acknowledgment of the real-life impact that words can have on individuals and groups. As this awareness leads to changes in linguistic behavior, the dictionary will seek to record them."

  • Quote

    Blog post doesn't address our concerns, rather patronizes campaign: Giovanardi

  • However, Giovanardi wasn't satisfied.

    In an interview with The Bookseller, excerpted in DailyMail, Giovanardi said, "The blog post doesn't address our concerns, rather it almost patronizes the campaign and gives vague answers to 29,000+ people and that is worrying."

    She added, "Sexism, just like racism, and any oppressive ways of talking, should have no place in society, and of course, texts like the dictionary."

  • London
  • Oxford
  • Oxford Dictionary
  • Dictionary
  • DailyMail
  •  
Latest News
  • Ahead of launch, Meizu 18 series' camera system teased
    Ahead of launch, Meizu 18 series' camera system teased
    Science
  • Employee sues Amazon for racial, gender discrimination in corporate hiring
    Employee sues Amazon for racial, gender discrimination in corporate hiring
    Business
  • Realme C21, with 5,000mAh battery, to debut on March 5
    Realme C21, with 5,000mAh battery, to debut on March 5
    Science
  • Alec Baldwin, wife Hilaria welcome their sixth child
    Alec Baldwin, wife Hilaria welcome their sixth child
    Entertainment
  • NewsBytes Briefing: Amazon accused of discriminating against blacks, and more
    NewsBytes Briefing: Amazon accused of discriminating against blacks, and more
    Science
Related Timelines
  • Cambridge Dictionary reveals Word of the Year; it's 'quarantine'
    Cambridge Dictionary reveals Word of the Year; it's 'quarantine'
    World
  • As COVID-19 outbreak worsens, DTU students seek to cancel exams
    As COVID-19 outbreak worsens, DTU students seek to cancel exams
    India
  • On Missouri woman's suggestion, Merriam-Webster agrees to relook 'racism' definition
    On Missouri woman's suggestion, Merriam-Webster agrees to relook 'racism' definition
    World
Trending Topics
Prince Philip Coronavirus
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love World news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

World Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Twitter Indian Premier League Samsung Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma Cricket News YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Bollywood News Real Madrid ISRO Yoga Honda
Batman Football News BMW Novak Djokovic Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Food News, Healthy Recipes Royal Challengers Bangalore Prince Philip
Toyota Fashion Tips Mercedes La Liga Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Bobby Deol
Marvel Comics Avengers Neha Kakkar Premier League
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021