Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!rdin!sarah
From: sarah@rdin.UUCP (sarah)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: is prejudice in the language?
Message-ID: <305@rdin.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Aug-83 12:34:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: rdin.305
Posted: Tue Aug 23 12:34:43 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Aug-83 23:38:06 EDT
Lines: 19

cFb<*A

    Questions for Saumya Debray:

    Since you say it is the usage that determines the meaning of a word,
    why do you bring up the point about the "-man" suffix originating from 
    Old German "mann" as a genderless term? In common usage, it is understood 
    to mean "male" nowadays.

    Do you also use the phrase "male fireman", or do you assume the masculine?
    Why must you qualify with the word "female" if you actually subscribe to 
    the view that "-man" is a genderless suffix?

    Yes, prejudice is reflected in the language and exerts influence upon
    people's outlooks.

					    Sarah Groves
					    New York
					    philabs!rdin!sarah