Non-gender-specific language (was Re: [H-GEN] SFD)

[Willie Yeo]

In University, we are taught to be "gender neutral/non-discrimiation" in
our learning (and assignments, i.e. no "he/she" unless you are referring
to a specific person).

Historically, "man this <place>" is correct usage, but we came to the
age that both sides of the gender are treated as equals, though it will
be couple of generations it is more really adapted.

But right now, I'd prefer "staff" rather than "manpower", as it is more
polite.

I really don't mind if someone says "Sons of Australia" if the entire
addressed crowd are all men.

Regards

Willie Yeo
Senior Network Engineer
Converged Solutions - Data Configuration IP


T	 +61 7 3606 7351 (extn 67351)	 	
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E	 willie.yeo at aapt.com.au	 
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Level 3, 100 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Brisbane, QLD 4006

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-----Original Message-----
From: general-bounces at lists.humbug.org.au
[mailto:general-bounces at lists.humbug.org.au] On Behalf Of Sandra Mansell
Sent: Monday, 11 September 2006 1:44 p.m.
To: General Email Humbug
Subject: Non-gender-specific language (was Re: [H-GEN] SFD)

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Anthony Irwin wrote:
> Anyway that is an interesting point and I certainly will phase the
word 
> man this or that to something else but I won't be staffing this or
that 
> I think it's a silly way to put it but maybe thats just me.

I certainly didn't mean to suggest that anyone use the term I was taught

to use in govt and it doesn't particularly bother me what word people 
use. I was raised a very anti-feminist father (who refuses to sing the 
'new' words to the national anthem -- he still sings "Australia's sons 
let us rejoice) and I'm pretty non-PC myself. I just meant it as an
aside.

Use whatever word you want to describe folks who will be working on the 
stand at SCM (assuming it goes ahead). I'm sure the other women on the 
mailing list have few objections too.

Sandra.
-- 
fakungabubu at gmail.com
"I don't need no-one to tell me about heaven.
I look at my daughter[s] and I believe."
    -- Live, "Heaven"

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