I'm not a big fan of re-engineering language, especially regarding this. It does nothing to address the underlying culture of gender binaries that makes the use of words like "mankind" controversial.

There are some who believe we can change how people think by changing the language, but I'm not in agreement. Just consider the word "special." It used to be a polite euphemism for "retarded." Now it's a tremendous insult to call someone "special" because the word didn't change how we felt about the concept.

Another example is China. After the Cultural Revolution, all gender-specific terms for spouses were abolished to fill the Communist ideal of gender equality; thus both the husband and wife in China are now called "Ai Ren" ("love person"). However, if you take a look at Chinese culture, you'll see that gender relations that predate communism are deeply ingrained in the culture. That is why most families choose to have sons rather than daughters.

Sapir and Whorf aren't very well understood in that respect. I think what they meant is language and culture share mutual influence when they evolve naturally. When someone decides to force that evolution, it doesn't really have the intended effect.

But if we had to, I thought it might be easier to swap the meaning of words then make up new ones... weather it's even necessary of course if up for debate of course. Ah well, one can't say I at least tried at least :)

er can say maybe

I dont see the big deal. Words are just words, and most languages are far more gender specific than English is. Personally, I think folks shouldnt look for excuses to feel offended. Like the above poster said, you cannot change the way people think simply by changing the words that they use. And a woman that feels offended because the term used to describe her speices or her sex is taken from the word "man" is probably a person who spends their entire life angry at something

Oh I agree, this was just a thought experiment mostly. It kind of brings up the question on weather one really wants equality or weather they really just want to feel superior or something or, as you said, want something to feel angry at.

Manity? Like a dugong? Or like Sean Manity?

we're all dugongs now, I suggest getting used to eatting soggy lettuce :)

But isn't the fundamental idea of making "men" mean "everyone" sexist in itself?

on the otherhand it can be Egalitarian, which is what the goal is right?

well teh old word for male humanss was virman where we get virility so man ment human and woman was female human and virman was male human.


also know as werman in old english and german.