Sexist and Discriminatory Language

Discriminatory language should always be avoided as ruled by the Senate several years ago. A separate booklet on this subject is available from the Equity and Diversity Office. The list below just gives a few examples of the correct use of words:

average person instead of common man
workforce instead of manpower
nurse instead of male nurse

Many postgraduate students have families to support
instead of
Many postgraduate students have wives and children to support.

Objections are sometimes raised that avoiding sexist language can result in the misuse of English. This can almost certainly be avoided by reworking, and often simplifying, a sentence:

Instead of
The lecturer will display his timetable
try
Timetables will be displayed outside lecturers’ offices.