As mentioned in the post Gender neutrality in brief 1, gender neutral language is a convention in academic English.
It is very easy to forget to use gender-neutral language. Awareness of the following principles will help ensure that your writing is gender-neutral.
When writing about both men and women, use words that include both.
Not gender-neutral: Throughout history, mankind has sought to control his environment in various ways.
Gender-neutral: Throughout history, humankind has sought to control its environment in various ways.
Gender-neutral: Throughout history, people have sought to control their environment in various ways.
When jobs or roles can be filled by either men or women, use words that are gender-neutral.
Not gender-neutral: A number of political analysts have observed that Trump makes decisions on a transactional basis, something typical of businessmen.
Gender-neutral: A number of political analysts have observed that Trump makes decisions on a transactional basis, something typical of businesspeople.
Not gender-neutral: A secretary’s principle loyalty is to her boss.
Gender-neutral: A secretary’s principle loyalty is to their boss. (See the post Gender neutrality in brief 1 or the Oxford link below for an explanation of usage of their for gender nuetrality.)
Gender-neutral: A secretary’s principle loyalty is to his or her boss.
More detailed information and guidelines:
Oxford Online Dictionary – the language of gender
United Nations gender-inclusive language guidelines
Sources:
Some of the points in this post come from Appendix 3 in the Cambridge Academic English Advanced Students’ Book by Martin Hewings and Craig Thaine, Cambridge University Press 2012.
