Gendered Terms for Women: Semantics, Asymmetry, and Sociocultural Reflections in the English Language

Abstract

The article is a study on the representation of women in language and the impact of this representation on social perceptions and biases. It examines gendered terms used to refer to woman, such as a woman, a girl, a female, and a lady, exploring their meanings, connotations, and usage in English. The article highlights the asymmetry in the semantic content of women and men, noting that man can refer to any human being, whereas woman specifically refers to adult females, often with an implied association with childbearing potential. The author discusses various terms used to describe women in different contexts, including scientific, statistical, derogatory, and polite usages. The article also explores the evolution of the term lady and how its meaning has degraded when used in compound words or phrases referring to women engaged in low-paid, non-intellectual labor. Additionally, the study examines gender biases and sexism in language, analyzing how linguistic expressions and connotations related to women may reflect or reinforce societal prejudices. It discusses different forms of sexism, including overt and subtle sexism, and how historical and social factors have influenced the language used to describe women’s professions and roles. The article also investigates the semantic f ields associated with women’s roles across various aspects of life, including domestic work, agriculture, crafts, trade, medicine, the arts, science, politics, etc. Examples of terms from each domain are provided to illustrate the diversity of ways women are referred to linguistically. The author emphasizes the importance of conscious and thoughtful language use to promote gender equality and avoid reinforcing gender-based discrimination.