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For French language considerations see, Guide de rédaction inclusive français, Service de traduction, Université McGill.
Gender-inclusive nouns
When reviewing and writing content, replace gendered nouns (such as "man" and words ending in "man") with gender-neutral language. Here is a list of gendered nouns and some alternatives to consider:
Gendered noun |
Gender-inclusive noun |
---|---|
man |
person, individual |
mankind |
people, human beings, humanity |
freshman |
first-year student |
man-made |
machine-made, synthetic, artificial |
the common man |
the average person |
chairman |
chair, chairperson, coordinator, head |
mailman |
mail carrier, letter carrier, postal worker |
policeman |
police officer |
steward, stewardess |
flight attendant |
French nouns |
|
Gendered noun |
Gender-inclusive noun |
un étudiant, une étudiante |
la communauté étudiante, les universitaires |
un directeur, une directrice |
la direction |
le recteur, la rectrice |
le rectorat |
le professeur, la professeure |
le corps professoral, le corps enseignant |
un employé, une employée |
le personnel |
un Québécois, un Québécoise |
la population québécoise |
un chercheur, une chercheuse |
les maîtres de recherche |
Gender-inclusive pronouns
Referring to people or groups of people of varying gender using masculine pronouns (he, his and him) as a default is no longer recommended. Here are a fewalternative options to consider:
1. Replace gendered pronouns with gender-inclusive nouns
The use of "he/she" and similar constructions may unintentionally exclude individuals who don't refer to themselves using either pronoun. Consider replacing those pronouns with a gender-neutral noun to ensure that your content isgender-inclusive.
Original sentence |
Rephrased |
---|---|
He/she will be assigned to groups. |
The candidatewill be assigned to groups. |
She/he will receive a notification email upon registration. |
The registrantwill receive a notification email upon registration. |
2. Pluralize nouns and pronouns
If it works for your writing, use plural nouns and pronouns to removethe need for gendered language.
Original sentence |
Rephrased |
---|---|
Each participant must make requests using his/her own email account. |
Participants must make requests using their own email accounts. |
A researcher can request internal peer review from the Associate Dean of his/her Faculty. |
Researchers can request an internal peer review from the Associate Dean of their Faculty. |
3.Use “they” as a singular pronoun
The pronoun “they” can also be used as a gender-neutral option for singular pronouns (e.g.,“Can you ask them if they can email me the resource?”). Consider your audience carefully when determining whether this solution is appropriate.
References
. Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2010.
. 17th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017.