【英语论文】an_analysis_of_sexism_in_english_vocabulary.doc

Acknowledgements

On the completion of my thesis, I wish to thank all those who have given me consistent help and great advice that have made this thesis possible.

I would like to extend my great thanks and deepest gratitude to my tutor Professor Lu Ling who gave valuable instructions. Without her patience, shrewd comments, effective advice as well as quick corrections, many of the pitfalls of my thesis would have still remained and I even could not finish my thesis. It is her who encouraged and urged me to begin my research work as soon as possible. Her kindness and advice have kept the thesis in the right direction.

I am greatly indebted to Professor Cao Lingjuan, Mr. Zeng Chuansheng, Mr. Chen chuanxian, Ms Bai Lifang, Professor Li Mengtao, Ms Li Fen and Mr. Lin Xu of School of Foreign Language of Hainan University. They have improved me in language skills and proficiency and have cultivated my great interest in English literature and western culture. During these four years, their encouragement, friendship and kindness have great impact on my study and life.

Last but not least, I should thank all the teachers and staffs who have helped me a lot during these wonderful four years of my university life.

Abstract

In the process of human development, it is common in society that man is superior to woman, which is not only in power and wealth but also in use of vocabulary. Admittedly, English develops from the society in which males occupy the lead position, therefore it is inevitable that its vocabulary tends to the discrimination against females. And what is more under the influence of Bible, quite a lot of English etymologists created words through the notion of physiology, female social role and man is superior to woman etc. which makes sex difference of vocabulary  institutionalized. Since the movement for women’s rights in 1960s, sexism in English vocabulary has always been an important issue which the feminists study on. Great effort has been done that feminists advocate to use neutral terms instead of sexism terms in order to remove the sexism in vocabulary gradually. This thesis attempts to make a study on sexism in English vocabulary through comparisons and examples, aiming at finding out those hidden differences between male and female in vocabulary, and tabling a proposal in casting aside sexism to arouse people’s awareness and give them a new understanding of language.

Key words: sexism; English vocabulary; discrimination; comparison

摘要

在人类发展的进程里，男人高于女人一等是十分普遍的现象，这种现象不仅表现在权利方面，还表现在词汇的使用上。无可否认的，英语是从以男人占主导地位的社会中逐渐发展起来的，因此英语词汇必然带有歧视女性的倾向。尤其是在圣经的影响下，许多语源学家根据人们的普遍心理，女性的社会地位，以及男人高于女人等方面创造词汇， 从而使得不同性别的词汇使用成为惯例。自从1960年的女权运动以来，英语词汇中的性别歧视已成为女权主义者研究的重要课题。女权主义者提倡使用中性词汇代替性别歧视词以达到逐渐消除词汇中性别歧视的目的已经取得巨大成就。本文将通过对比与举例对英语词汇中的性别歧视进行剖析，意在分析词汇中男性与女性之间隐含的不同，倡导消除性别歧视以唤醒人们的意识，使其对语言有一个全新的理解。

关键词：性别歧视；英语词汇；歧视；对比

Contents
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………( i )
 
Abstract (English)…………………………………………………………………( ii )

Abstract (Chinese) ……………………………………………………………… ( iii )

Contents……………………………………………………………………………( iv )

1.Introduction……………………………………………………………………… (1)

2.Word-formation of Common Words…………………………………………… (1)
2.1 The Definitions of Man and Woman in Dictionary…………………………(2)
2.2 Word-formation of Common Words Made by “Man” and “Woman”………(3)
2.3 Unmarked Words Referring to Male ……………………………………… (5)
2.4 Common Words Referring to Male…………………………………………(5)

3.The Manifestation of Sexism in English Vocabulary ………………………… (6 )
    3.1 Sexism in Neutral Terms……………………………………………………(6)
       3.1.1 Occupational Neutral Words are Sexualized …………………………(6)
       3.1.2 Some Neutral Words in Derogatory Sense Referring to Female …… (7 )
3.2 Meanings of Equivalents are not Peer to Peer …………………………… (8 )
3.2.1 Meanings of Twin Words are not Peer to Peer ………………………(8)
3.2.2 The Meaning of Appellation Words are not Peer to Pee r……………(9)
3.2.3 Sexism in Gender Terms……………………………………………(10 )
3.2.4 Sexism in Articles  …………………………………………………(11)

4.The Cause of Formation in Sexism …………………………………………… (11)
4.1 The Improper Location of Men and Women in Bible …………………… (11)
4.2 Political and Economic Reasons ………………………………………… (12)
4.2.1 Females Relying on Their Husbands in Economy ………………… (12)
4.2.2 Females Depending on Males in Policy …………………………… (13)

5. The Impact of Movement for Women’s Right in United States on Sexism in English Vocabulary……………………………………………………………(13)
5.1 The Background of the Movemnet for Women’s Right ………………… (14 )
5.2 The Great Impact of Movement for Women’s Right on Vocabulary………(14)
5.3 How to Take Full Advantage of the Impact ……………………………… (15)

6. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………(16)

7.Reference…………………………………………………………………………(18)