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Rabu, 10 Oktober 2012
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Judul Skripsi:Gender Aspect Maker used in The Jakarta Post
Skripsi ini membahas tantang "gender neutral language" atau biasa juga dengan istilah "sexist language", yaitu kalimat atau ujaran yang meniadakan salah satu gender lain (dalam hal ini perempuan) yang diteliti pada media The Jakarta Post.
Dasar permasalahannya adalah, dalam penggunaan bahasa inggris, tidak ada kata pengganti netral untuk orang ketiga tunggal (neutral singular pronoun). Sebagai contoh:
- Tuhan biasa di referensikan dengan menggunakan pronoun He atau Him, sedangkan kenyataannya Tuhan itu bukan laki-laki dan bukan juga perempuan.
- Untuk menyatakan seorang perampok bersenjata yang menggunakan topeng dan tidak diketahui apakah ia laki-laki atau perempuan, kata yang digunakan adalah gunmen.
- Pada kolom Tips yang ditujukan untuk seorang atau tiap pembaca, penulis menggunakan kata He, padahal pembaca dan pengguna tips mencakup keduanya.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
At the start of 20th century, the accepted
notion of gender roles in Western culture was based on the doctrine of separate
spheres (Gary N. Powell:3). According to this ideology, because men and women
have different natures, the roles they play in society should be radically
different.
Basically, English is different from others language
especially if we compare it by Indonesian as our language. In English, there
are improper words when the speaker called the unidentified single third
person. They used to use “he” to call them, despite the fact that “he” is
referring to a male. But in Indonesia
Furthermore, the researcher assumed that English
speakers and writers have traditionally been taught to use masculine nouns and
pronouns in situations where the gender of their subject(s) is unclear or
variable, or when a group to which they are referring contains members of both
sexes. An example which gathered from the newspaper; the US Declaration of
Independence states that " . . . all men are created equal . . ." and
most of us were suggested to taught to comprehend the word "men" in
that context includes both male and female Americans.
In recent decades, however, as women have become
increasingly involved in the public sphere of life, the newspaper writers have
reconsidered the way they express gender identities and relationships. Because
most English language readers no longer understand the word "man" to
be synonymous with "people," newspaper writers today must think more
carefully about the ways they express gender in order to convey their ideas
clearly and accurately to their readers.
Views on
'non-sexist language' can be split into approximately four groups:
- People who believe that 'non-sexist language' is a good thing, use it themselves, and try to enforce it on everyone else. These people often argue passionately for non-sexist language at every opportunity.
- People who believe that 'non-sexist language' is a good thing, use it themselves, but do not wish to enforce it on everyone else. These people may try to persuade others of the merits of 'non-sexist language', but are generally less vehement in their arguments.
- People who believe that non-sexist language is neither good nor bad. These people sometimes use 'non-sexist language', and sometimes use more traditional forms of expression.
- People who believe that 'non-sexist language' is a bad thing, and do not use it themselves. These people may try to persuade others of the problems with 'non-sexist language', with more or less vehemence.
This case has interested the researcher to analyze
about sexist language use, especially the researcher paid attention when the
people producing the utterances in written form, which those utterances can be
classified as sexist language. In this research the researcher would like to
identify, classify and analyze the sexist language use. The writer will gather
the data from The Jakarta
Based on the descriptive
above, the researcher conducted a research entitled “Gender Neutral Language Used in
the Jakarta Post”. This research deals with the sexist type of language
used in The Jakarta Post based on the
theory of avoiding sexist language and using appropriated language as standard
language or non-discriminatory language. This study aims at identifying word or
phrase which consider as sexist.
This research’s idea comes
from anti sexist language movement in English native speaker society as the continuation
exclamation of equal human right and obligation in many life fields. Anti sexist language is a movement of
equality between male and female in linguistics field.
This movement against the existence of male domination in English usage; in grammatically,
expression and job title.
The researcher chooses to
conduct the research in The Jakarta Post
because some reasons. First, researcher has found that this mass media used to
take by the students of Jambi
University
Second, the source is easy
to get, it is available in much of bookstore in Jambi town. Besides of that,
it’s cheaper than another source like Time
Magazine, so the researcher could to collect the data from a lot of edition
in certain period.
1.2 Limitation
Of The Problem
The researcher tried to find sexist language from newspaper. In this
case, the researcher collected the data from The Jakarta Post. The data shows
what kind of sexist used in The Jakarta Post.
1.3 Research
Questions
- What kind of sexist language used in “The Jakarta Post”?
1.4 The
Purpose Of The Research
The purposes of this
research are:
1. Identify sexist language used in “The Jakarta
Post”.
2. Classify sexist language type used in “The
Jakarta Post”.
3.
Analyze
the use of sexist language in “The Jakarta Post”.
1.5 Significance
Of The Research
The researcher expected
that the result of this research will be able to give description sexist
language or discriminatory language that occur in the press, and then the
result of this research could improve the researchers knowledge, especially it
becomes an input for English students to improve their knowledge in language
phenomenon and comprehending sociolinguistics work.
CHAPTER
II
REVIEW
OF RELATED LITERATURE
1.1 Linguistics
Nirmala (1988: 1)
defines that linguistics is the scientific of language. Linguistics field is
concerned with the nature of language and communication. In this case sexist
language is one of language phenomenon, nature process of language change
concerned with gender clues occurred especially in native society and of course
its influences to the second language learners.
1.2 Sociolinguistics
According to Spolsky
(1998: 3) Sociolinguistics is the field that studies the relation between
language and society, between the uses of language and the social structures in
which the users of language live. The researcher assumed that sexist language
is a branch of Sociolinguistics field because it was a language phenomenon
which occurred in native society and also to the English learners.
Wolfram (2008: online)
said that language is one of the most powerful emblems of social behavior. In
the normal transfer of information through language, we use language to send
vital social messages about who we are, where we come from, and who we
associate with. It is often shocking to realize how extensively we may judge a
person's background, character, and intentions based simply upon the person's
language, dialect, or, in some instances, even the choice of a single word.
1.3 Gender
Gender have different
meaning with sex, gender is not presenting male and female biologically, but it
describe difference roles between male and female in society. Something which
assumed as masculinity in a culture can be assumed as femininity in another
culture. In another words, both femininity and masculinity not depends on their
sex only, but also depends on social context of culture.
Spolsky (1998: 38)
said that studied of gender have shown the power of stereotyping. Women’s
status is lowered by reference to the girls.
Man can be referring to both male and
female, and in some context of human communication female group was
underestimated.
1.4 The
Evolution of 20th-century Models of Gender
(Powell: 21) In The
Evolution of 20th-century Models of Gender, these conceptualizations
containing three assumptions about how male and female classified. These
consist of three conceptualizations of gender, they are:
- Unidimensional
Models
In it’s
assumptions, unidimensional theories of gender incorporate the notion of
biological essentialism (i.e., that men and women have inherently different
natures). Biological sex (whether one is male or female) is used as the
determinant of psychosocial gender (one’s masculinity or femininity).
- Bidimensional
Models
This new way
of looking at gender had wide-ranging implications. Because gender was now
viewed as being distinct from sex, the two concepts needed to be clearly
distinguished from one another. These early theories focused on only one aspect
of gender: gender-role identity or one’s sense of oneself as a man or a woman.
- Multidimensional
Models
Based on these
theories, models of gender have become increasingly sophisticated and complex.
Current theories propose that gender schemas are multidimensional and that
separate schemas exist for attitudes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and
personality traits.
1.5 Sexist
According to
Merriam-Webster dictionary, sexist
defines as behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social
roles based on sex. Behavior, conditions, or attitudes, they are factors that
indicated discrimination especially against women.
Sexist words are words that automatically carry a specific gender
connotation or explanation. Words such as himself, man, mankind, he, she,
herself, and others will lead a reader or listener to make assumptions about
the gender of the person being referenced. Problems are encountered when
speaking of a policeman, fireman, stewardess, chairman, statesman, or even
mankind in general.
The use of sexist words interferes with both genders’ acceptance. This
usage can cause problems in interpretation. For example in job title, using the
term “firemen” delineates the description if this profession only can do by
male sex, but in reality this profession also handle by female.
1.6 Sexism
Holmes (2001: 305) defines that sexism involves behavior
which maintains social inequalities between women and men.
According to Style Manual-University of Minnesota
Sexism is a
belief or attitude that one gender or sex is inferior to or less valuable than
the other and can also refer to a hatred or distrust towards either sex as a
whole, or creating stereotypes of masculinity for men or femininity for women.
It is also called male and female chauvinism.
For example, English usage frequently suggests that what is
masculine is more important than what is feminine (a man-sized job is
important, but woman's work is trivial). English pronoun system uses he,
his, him, and himself both in the literal masculine sense and in the
generic sense to mean a person of either sex. Dozens of generic terms
(chairman, congressman, statesman, workingman, brotherhood, fellowship) contain
masculine markers. When such terms are used generically, misinterpretation can
result and females are unintentionally excluded from consideration.
1.7 Sexist
Language
Holmes (2001:305)
said that sexist language is one example of the way a culture or society
conveys its values from one group to another and from one generation to the
next. Sexist attitudes stereotype a person according to gender rather than
judging on individual merits. Sexist languages encodes stereotyped attitudes to
woman and men.
Thabran (2007:134)
stated that sexist language is language that expresses bias in favor of one sex
and thus treats the other sex in a discriminatory manner. In most instances the
bias is in favor of men and against women. In language, men are considered the
norm for the human species, their characteristics, thoughts, male and female.
This practice can make women invisible in language or altogether excludes them.
It can also lead to their portrayal as deviations from this ‘male human’ norm.
Women’s linguistics status is often dependent on or derives from that of men,
which is represented as autonomous. By relegating women to a dependent,
sub-ordinate position, sexist language prevents the portrayal of women and men
as different but equal human beings.
According to Miller and Shift (in Anonymous, 2006:134) sexist
language defines as “any language that expresses such stereo typed attitudes
and expectation, or that assumes the inherent superiority of one sex over the
other”.
Sexist language defines as language that unnecessarily
identifies gender (The Writing Center,
2007 Online). The column writers unconsciously
used sexist word or phrase to reference certain persons. Sexist language can
take several forms:
1.
a pronoun that denotes a single sex when the
information being conveyed pertains equally to either or both sexes.
Ex. Every student should have his notebook with
him in class.
2.
a job title that links the job to a single sex when
either sex can perform the job.
Ex. fireman, mailman, policeman
3.
a single sex pronoun in conjunction with a neutral job
title, so that the implication is that the job “belongs” to a single sex.
Ex. The nurse awoke her patient at five a.m.
4.
any other use of language that unnecessarily and
arbitrarily makes gender distinctions.
Ex. early man used a system of gestures to
communicate.
1.8 Discriminatory
Language
(Warren, 1994
Online) Using the generic 'he' and 'man' is problematic because it often leads
us to omit the distinctive elements of female experience and behavior. For
example, a sentence beginning, "If a student is conscientious, he
is probably a good . . . ,".
(Collins
Cobuild English Dictionary, 1995, p.1521) “If you describe people, things, or
behavior as sexist, you mean that
they are influenced by the belief that members one sex usually women, are less
intelligent or less capable than those of the other sex and need to be treated
equally”.
Refer to
Style Manual; For Authors, editors and printers p.126, generic context means
“you includes both sexes when you want to refer to one sex only”. The
researcher make the example like below:
- If someone lost his
motorcycle, he must make a report the police officer as soon as
possible.
The words his and he in the sentence above used in its generic context, because both
of them refer to one sex only. Someone (no matter, the person is ale or female)
have same possibility to lose his/her motorcycle.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH
METHOD
3.1 Research
Design
This research deals
with the sexist type of language used in “The Jakarta Post”. In this research
the writer analyzes the data which has been collected from the source. Here,
the writer used descriptive theory to conduct the research.
According to Ary
(1979 295) descriptive research are designs to obtain information concerning
the current status of the phenomena. The researcher obtained the information
about what is sexist language it self, and has collected the data from “The Jakarta Post” and the last step the
researcher has analyzed the data adjust to the information that has been
obtained.
This research is
descriptive qualitative. The research that performs by researcher gave
description of a sociolinguistics phenomenon in social life, that is sexist
language or discriminatory language. This research used qualitative approach to
get the understanding of meaning and definition based on the situation in the
text. The data that the researcher used in this research are in the form of
vocabulary, phrase, sentence or English utterances that contains sexist term.
Research method used in
this research is corresponding research method. Corresponding method is
language analysis method which the determiner irrespective of pertinent
language (Sudaryanto in Anonymous, 1994). Then, the researcher use referential
correspond technique. Referential correspond is language analysis method based
on reference contains in language utterances.
This method used to
describe sexist language models which establish in English. Description also
conducts to gathering hierarchy picture language use of sexist language. The researcher
use substitution technique to substitute sexist term to be non-sexist as the
alternatives.
3.2 Object of
The research
The object of this research
is the statement in writing form that found in the essay of The Jakarta Post. The statements are in
the form of vocabularies/words phrases and sentences.
3.3 Data
Collection Technique
The data collected from The Jakarta
Post in a few editions. In this case, the researcher collected the data in
seven editions, published from 23 March 2009 until 27 April 2009.
In gathering the data the researcher uses documentation method. The
researcher read and scans every page of the sources of data with critical eyes
to get valid description of “biased descriptions” in terms of language use. The
data that assumed as sexist noted and listed to be primary data. Then,
the researcher classified data into kind of sexist and finally analyze with
description of sexist language.
3.4 Data
Analysis Technique
The data-analyzing technique is
referential. There are some steps that will do by researcher to analyze the
data:
A.
Read and scan every page of my sources of data with
critical eyes to get valid description of “biased descriptions” in terms of
language use and visual related images.
B.
Consider critically the relevant and representative
data from sources for my textual analysis.
C.
Refer to sexist language manual and other relevant
sources for clarify of the issue.
D.
Describing sexist language’s models to gathering
hierarchy
picture language use of sexist language.
E.
Draw conclusion from the findings to see the trends of
biased description from the sources.
CHAPTER IV
FINDING AND ANALYSIS
The finding of the research collected from “The
Jakarta Post” in seven editions, published from March 23rd 2009
until April 27th 2009. The researcher classified the data analysis
into four levels, consists of: Level of Bound Morpheme, Level of Word, Level of
Phrase and Level of Sentence. The researcher wrote it in explanation below:
1.
Level of
Bound Morpheme
Morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit in the
grammar of a language. There are two kind of morpheme in English; free and
bound. Free morpheme is a grammatical unit that can occur by itself. However,
other morphemes such as affixes can be attached to it. Free morpheme such as waiter in he is a waiter. Bound morpheme or often called as augmentation, is
a grammatical unit that never occurs by itself, but is always attached to some
other morpheme. For example: morpheme –ess in waitress, stewardess, princess,
etc. Bound morpheme consists of prefix and suffix. Prefix place in the
beginning of word (e.g. insufficient consist of morpheme –in and sufficient). While
suffix placed in the end of word (e.g. waitress consists of morpheme waiter and –ess).
In analyzing the data, the researcher has found sexist
marker in the usage of bound morpheme:
(1) The actress was taken to MMC Hospital
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.32)
The problem in this sentence is the use of “actress”
as the analogy of actor. The researcher has found if the context of the essay
is actually correct, this use refers to female Indonesian artist named Nia
Ramadhani.
In this case the researcher only tried to describe
about the use of suffix –ess as the marker of female function in this job
title. The word “actress” consists of morpheme “actor” and “-ess”. The word
“actor” is the base word which refers to male marker. This bound morpheme or
suffix –ess has a function to show female marker.
(2) She met Spector only hours earlier at her job
as a nightclub hostess.
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.32)
What the researcher has found from this data is;
female are unappreciated and underestimated in public view. “Hostess” in the
sentence above doesn’t have the same function like the word “host” which used
for male.
The researcher has found a few meaning of “host”,
they are:
-
a
person who receives or entertains other people as guests or the presenter of a
television or radio program.
-
an animal or
plant on or in which a parasite organism lives (in Biology)
-
the recipient
of transplanted tissue or a transplanted organ.
-
a computer
which mediates multiple access to databases or provides other services to a
network.
-
an area in
which particular people or things are found. For example: the reef is host to
shoals of fish.
But the meaning for “hostess” is “a woman employed to welcome and entertain
customers at a nightclub or bar”.
What the
researcher has found shows if female has low value in gender role and moreover
they’re only valued because their beauty, sexy body or others physical
appearance that they have. Skill, intelligence and
astuteness are not important in public view toward to them.
The base words like actor, host, waiter, prince and steward
are intended for male only, suffix –ess added to the base words to show female
function. It’s implicated that all of base
words refers to male sex, and suffix –ess
added to each base words as indication to show female sex.
Bound morpheme or suffix –ess functioned as the marker to show female sex. While the base words
used only refers to male sex. Suffix –ess
added to show if the subject is female. So we can state that all the headwords refers to male, while if added
suffix –ess on it, its change to
female as the subject of the sentence.
2.
Level of
Word
Result of the research shows there are a lot of sexist
marker in level of word and compound words in this research, there are man/men, woman/women, he, his and him. “Man” is the most found from the
source of the data.
Man/men (singular word)
The used of “man”
that assumed as sexist presented in singular and plural form. Following data
are the example of sexist usage in singular word:
(1)
Warrior
tradition: Two young men stand in a pile of wooden sticks….
(Source: JP, March 30, 2009, p.19)
The extract of sentence above accompanied with a
picture of two male teenagers among thousands else of male. They are celebrating
Kuningan festivity at Sakenan
Temple
(2) …who is nicknamed the fastest man in Southeast Asia , said….
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.24)
The extract of sentence above is taken from Agnes
Winarti’s news report about Indonesian athletes excited in civil servants
program. The problem with the sentence is the use of “man” in “fastest man”,
even though the context is correct.
“Man” in “fastest man” indicated if male are
absolutely faster than female. This is one of public conception in gender; male
are stronger, faster and more powerful than female. The researcher assumed if
this conception is factual in common life, but in reality not always like that.
In much life case male can be defeated by female.
(3) Government stimulus policy ‘superficial’:
Japan richest man.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.16)
The data above is a news title taken written by
Associated Press of Singapore which later republished in The Jakarta Post. The
clear problem in the above title is the use of “richest man”. This use of word
shows a gender biased, the image created by the word could lead to sexism. It
make a sense if female couldn’t be a billionaire or they can’ be the richest
one.
(4) Badminton great takes the men at China
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.21)
This is a column title and no writer in this short
writing. This short news reported about a female former badminton world Ye
Zhaoying who’s trading her racket to qualify for the China Open.
The researcher has found the use of “men” in the
column title above. This use of word has possibility to makes confusion for the
readers because the essay said that there are four women in a field of 93
players compete in this tournament. So that, men in the title above could lead to sexism.
(5) But the very basic reason,
when man makes himself and his view/ideal an idol – by refusing to
believe in God…
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.20)
The extract of sentence above derived from a comment
wrote in a letter by Marhap OSM, and later it was published by The Jakarta
Post. It argues about the nature of atheism. The data above presents sexist use
of generic “man”. It makes the other sex in this case woman invisible.
The use of “man”
in the data above implicated domination by male
sex in this world’s life, thereby excluding woman from the picture we
present of the world. “Man” in the
data above use as representative of person, people, or human being. If “man” assumed as human, so what about
woman? Are they a group of human, or are they assumed as sub-human?
Man/men (compound word)
In another fact, the researcher has found terms or
expression which contains gender influence in the usage of job title. Following
data are the example of gender terms or expressions in compound word:
(1) The protesters assaulted policemen
and government staff, some of whom were slightly injured, Xinhua said.
(Source: JP, March 23, 2009, p. 3)
The researcher found a sexist term in this sentence.
The researcher viewed that the use of term “policemen” in this sentence are
sexist, because according to the context of the sentence, the word “policemen”
refers to all members in the office which assaulted by the protesters. Furthermore,
according to the researcher’ consideration after read the essay, if what the
destinations by the news writer are police officer, not male police only.
(2) The certificate will
contain and verify information submitted by fishermen and traders before
exporting the fish…
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.14)
The extract of sentence above is taken from a news
report written by Ika Krismantari. It reviews about the Indian Ocean Tuna
Commission (IOTC) program on its member countries to certify that their tuna
products are not caught using illegal practices before being exported.
What strikes me from the sentence is the use of word
“fishermen”. Its true that majority fishers in the world are male, but we can
still found female fishers, especially in the cluster of villages and other
remote places. So the researcher assumed that the use of “fishermen” in the
sentence above could be carrying sexist sense to the readers.
(3) The Corruption Court
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.2)
The sentence above is a news title written by Irawaty
Wardany. The problem in this sentence is the use of “businessmen”. According to
the context of the sentence, it was clearly containing sexist meaning because
it wasn’t used in its generic context.
The researcher assumed that “businessmen” in the
sentence above have the same meaning as “business executive” or
“businessperson” who’s bribes lawmaker Yusuf Erwin Faishal. The use of
“businessmen” is sexist because its in specific context, that is, only denoting
particular sex: male.
(4) Gunmen kill 3
in road ambush in south RP.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.11)
The data above is column title of a short news,
reported an attack by al-Qaeda-linked toward to coconut plantation workers in
the southern Philippines
“Gunmen” is a combine word consists of “gun” and “men”
which mean a person with a gun. “men” in this compound word is an example of
sexist words that use masculine form. Gender-neutral for this term is
“gunperson”.
(5) …or worse, financial
contributions to the party chairman.
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.6)
The extract of the sentence above is taken from Berly
Marta Wardaya’s article entitled “A district-based system: More efficient,
accountable”. The writer is a lecturer at School
of Economics , University of Indonesia
(6) “One should ask these gentlemen
whether they want pensioners to lose the remaining money they have?”
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.16)
There is no writer of this news; it published in Poland
The problem with the sentence is the use of word
“gentlemen”. According to the context of the sentence, the word “gentlemen”
aimed at the people who’s delighted and favored the impact of devaluation in Poland Poland
(7) Panorama Tours
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.29)
The sentence above was taken from a column title. It’s
reviews about a travel agency, Panorama Tours in attract customers interest
especially children by make Marunda’s fishing tradition.
The researcher has found the usage of “fishermen’s kids”
to mention children fishing community. “Fishermen’s kids” in the context above
certainly refers to both male and female. Meanwhile, “fishermen’s kids”
containing morpheme “men” denoting one sex only, that is male. This usage was
sexist, because we must be believe if there’s not male only in children fishing
community which said in that essay.
Woman (compound word)
The researcher has found if sexist marker not refers
to male only, but also used refers to female sex in the usage, especially in
this case when the news writer express job title in his/her writing. The usage
of woman in compound word found in
the sentences below:
(1) … chairwoman
Megawati Soekarnoputri was upbeat about ….
(Source: JP, March 23, 2009, p.1)
The extract of the sentence above is taken from
Andianto’s article entitled “Candidates hold early presidential poll rallies”.
The problem in this is the use of chairwoman.
The researcher assumed that the use of word chairwoman is sexist. Chairwoman is a job title for female
chairperson and it’s formed comes from opposite of chairman. In another words, chairwomen
is the analogy of chairman. The words
chair, chairperson, or presiding officer
are gender-neutral and supposed to use.
(2) A stunned supermarket
saleswoman stumbled upon 28 kilograms (60 pounds) of cocaine worth over
a million euros while ….
(Source: JP, March 23, 2009, p. 2)
The sentence above is taken from AFP’s article. Saleswoman in the sentence above refers
to female sales worker which the usage of saleswoman
as the analogy based on the use of salesman.
Gender-neutral form for this word is salesperson.
Using pronoun he refers to both sexes
Pronoun he
refers to male single third person. If someone said an unidentified person as a
child, a patient or a scientist, the person must be a male or female. Because
of that, if we assumed if the unidentified person is a male, this assumption is
clearly not fair. Though using he to
mention unidentified single third person is sexist.
The researcher found this phenomenon in following data:
(1) Many a manager does not
realize that by adopting an “outside-in” approach, which I call
“trend-slavery”, he condemns himself to be….
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.17)
The sentence above is the first sentence on first
paragraph written by Prof. Kai-Alexander Schlevogt. The title is “Prof. Kai on
strategic leadership”. The writer is a professor of strategy and leadership at
the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School
The problem with the two words above is they are
sexist. The sentence used “generic he”. The use of these words makes the other
sex in this case woman (female manager) being invisible. Meanwhile, the
researcher assumed that these guidelines directed to managers both male and female.
The researcher found only one data that use the word he in its generic context. Using he in the data above caused or
implicated if women are invisible in world’s life and one sex (male) is
superior to the other (female).
Using Possessive Pronoun His refers to both sexes
News writers tend to use possessive pronoun his to cite the possession of a person; in fact
that this person could be a male or female. Usage of pronoun his in following data assumed as sexist type:
(1) …when man makes himself and his
view/ideal an idol – by refusing to believe in God (that ought to be feared
worshipped), then there is nothing left but himself and his ego and self
importance.
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.20)
Two words of his in the data above derived from a
comment wrote in a letter by Marhap OSM, and later it was published by The
Jakarta Post. It argues about the nature of atheism. The data above presents
sexist use of generic pronoun “his”. This word refers to all of atheists who’s
refused to believe in god, while these people in large number I this world
consists of male and female.
(2) The presidential
candidate can than be selected by a member of his own party as a VP
candidate. Thus he can be sure of full loyalty from him instead of the present
situation wherein the VP suffers from divided loyalty between his
President and his party.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.17)
The paragraph above derived from a letters comment
wrote by K.B. Kale from Jakarta
Two data above shows that all of human (God’s
creature) and all of presidential candidate are male, while, female existence
assumed to be lost or female assumed as a sub-human.
Using Objective Pronoun Him refers to both sexes
In analyzing the data, the researcher also has found the
usage of him while refers to both
sexes. Usage of objective pronoun him in following data assumed as
sexist type:
(1) Thus he can be sure
of full loyalty from him instead of the present situation wherein the VP
suffers from divided loyalty between his President and his party.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.17)
Two word “him” above derived from a comment wrote in a
letter by Marhap OSM, and later it was published by The Jakarta Post. It argues
about the nature of atheism. The data above presents sexist use of generic
objective pronoun “him”. This word refers to anyone whose atheist.
(2) Many a manager does
not realize that by adopting an “outside-in” approach, which I call
“trend-slavery”, he condemns himself to be….
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.17)
The sentence above is the first sentence on first
paragraph written by Prof. Kai-Alexander Schlevogt. The title is “Prof. Kai on
strategic leadership”. The writer is a professor of strategy and leadership at
the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School
The problem with the two words above is they are
sexist. The sentence used “generic objective pronoun himself”. The use of this
word makes the other sex in this case woman being invisible. Meanwhile, the
researcher assumed that these guidelines directed to managers, no matter they
are male or female.
(3) Thus he can be sure
of full loyalty from him instead of the present situation wherein the VP
suffers from divided loyalty between his President and his party.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.17)
The paragraph above derived from a letters comment
wrote by K.B. Kale from Jakarta
The word “him” according to the context of the
sentence above refers to all of presidential candidates. And we know if there
are 3 candidates, one of them female candidate, Megawati Soekarnoputri. Because
of this usage, the sentence could be caused ambiguous for the reader and the
use of “him” in the sentence above assumed as sexist.
(4) For example, if your
child asks about someone who is in a wheelchair without legs or arms, you can
tell him that some people are born without limbs and others may have
lost them in accidents or in sickness.
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.29)
This sentence derived from an article written by Ruth
Liew. It tells about children learning by absorbs their parents’ attitude.
Hereinafter the researcher found the use of objective pronoun him which in the context of the essay above
includes both male and female.
The researcher presumed if the writer unintentionally
used this word. And without lessening respect for the writer, the researcher would
like to make suggestion to make rebuild the sentence like below:
“… you can tell your child
that some people are born without limbs and others may have lost them in
accidents or in sickness.”
The researcher assumed that by substituting “him” with
“your child” could make it to be a gender-neutral sentence.
3.
Level of Phrase
The next level of sexist usage are in the level of
phrases, in this case especially is noun
phrase. Noun Phrase or Noun Cluster is a group of words that
consists of headword and others word
in front and/or in the end of headword. In another way, noun phrase divided
into three components, that is: (1) headword,
(2) premodification, located in front
of headword, and (3) postmodification,
located in the end of headword. A noun phrase may consists of premodification
and headword or headword and postmodification.
In analyzing the data, the researcher has found sexist
marker in the use of noun phrase:
(1) …about the history of
Picasso’s masterpiece by the artist Goshka Macuga.
(Source:
JP, April 02, 2009, p.26)
The phrase above is taken from Martin Gayford’s words.
The news reviewing reopens the Whitechapel Gallery in East
London . What strikes me in this sentence is the use of word
“masterpiece”.
“Masterpiece” is a noun phrase comes from two words:
“master” as premodification and
“piece” as headword. According to
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, “masterpiece” means
“something made or done with very great skill”.
Still refers to Oxford Dictionary, the word “master”
have a few meaning, they are:
1.
man who has others working for him or under him
2.
male head of a household
3.
captain of a merchant ship
4.
male owner of
dog, horse, etc
5.
male teacher
Considered to this finding, the researcher assumed
that the word “master” in “masterpiece” make sexist sense because
the word “master” itself refers to male sex only.
(2) Former manpower
director general named graft suspect.
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.8)
The problem in the extract of sentence above is in the
use of “manpower” in its generic sense. The word has denoted one particular
gender only, that is, mal adults. Female adults are made invisible because of
that generic sense of “manpower”. This word has the same meaning with “”human
labor” or “human resource”.
(3) The Manpower
and Transmigration Ministry’s expert assistant to the….
(Source: JP, April 27, 2009, p.14)
The sentence is taken from Mustaqim
Adamrah’s article. The word “manpower” denote specific sex, that is, male. The
“manpower” in the context above is “the
number of people working or available for work or service”. In another way, manpower has the same meaning with labor
force, or employees.
(4) Peter Zumthor, a Swiss
architect acclaimed for the ambitious craftsmanship he applies to works
of modest scale… .
(Source: JP, April 15, 2009, p.32)
The clear problem from this
sentence is the use of craftsmanship.
This usage carried sexist image for the readers, even though Peter Zumthor is a
male.
Craftsmanship
consists of three morphemes; craft, man and
ship. Man in the middle of the term functioned as the sexist marker, it
shows male dominant role in craft. Certainly it’s related to gender roles in
society where’s male assumed more skillful than female. The use of craftsmanship make woman invisible, or
it assumes the superiority of male sex over female.
4.
Level of Sentence
In the past, human’s life and their roles disposed
equal. Male has a role in outside of house for working and seek a living (public role), and female has a role as the
housekeeping, cooking and take care of their child (domestic role). But this tendencies are not prevailed in recent
times, the most conspicuous is female’s roles has been change. They not only
stay at home, but also assist for their family’s income and tried to build their
career. They work as pilot, bus driver, engineer, technician, etc.
In practice, English usage didn’t reflect the reality
of life. Even in newspaper, the writers tends to express a sentence without
considered if the sentences they’ve made are ambiguous because the sentences
contain sexists.
In analyzing the data, the researcher has found sexist
marker in the level of sentence:
(1) Nearly 100 monks
are being held in northwest China
(Source: JP, March 23, 2009, p. 3)
What strikes at reading close of the sentence is the
use of “monks”. This word means a male member of a religious community of human
typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Meanwhile,
adjust to the context of the news, there are not male only whose being held
after China
The researcher thought if it’s one of sexist
phenomenon because the use of “monks” denoting one particular sex only: male.
And the researcher has fond that there are no options to mention “a member of
religious community of human generally” (both male and female). There are two
options only; monk for male member and nun for female member.
(2) Poni, a Balinese
Hindu Housewife, said local housewives prefer to use imported
fruit for their offerings because of their attractive colors.
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.19)
The two words above are taken from Luh De Suriyanti’s
article. The problem with the two words is they are sexist. Both of them are
for plural and singular female parent(s). However, the researcher has never
heard or read word “househusband(s)”. These words denote specific sex, that is,
female. The first word in the context above is “a married woman whose main occupation is caring for her family and
running the household” and the second use is for plural form.
(3) Borobudur will never
catch up with its younger brother, Angkor
Wat, if the problems of local sellers….
(Source: JP, April 02, 2009, p.20)
The extract of sentence above is taken from Akhari
Hananto’s comments about why doesn’t RI invest in tourism. The problem in this
sentence is the use of word “brother” to mention Angkor Wat which this temple
resembles with Borobudur in Indonesia Borobudur
and Angkor Wat.
(4) The plane was manned
by pilot Capt. I Gede Agustirta Santosa and….
(Source: JP, April 07, 2009, p.1)
The sentence above is derived from news written by
Yuli Tri Suwarni. The news is about plane accident took place on Monday 6 April
at about 1 p.m. at Husein Sastranegara Air Force Base.
What arouses my attention from reading the sentence
above is the use of “manned”. Even though the pilot as a male, but the use of
this word still carry sexist image to the reader’s mind. “Manned” comes from
“man” which prefix –ed use to express “talent or capability to operate any
skill”.
.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
AND SUGGESTION
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, it could be
concluded that sexist language is one
phenomenon in linguistics especially in English. Many people have no
recognition of any potential problem caused by the usage of sexist term.
Having analyzed the present data from The Jakarta
|
No
|
Source of Data
|
Problem(s)
|
|
1
|
Data 01
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.32)
|
The use of morpheme –ess in “actress” to show
female subject.
|
|
2
|
Data 02
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.32)
|
The use of morpheme –ess in “hostess” to show
female subject.
|
Table 1: sexist use in the level of
bound morpheme
|
No
|
Source of Data
|
Problem(s)
|
|
1
|
Data 01
(JP, March 30, 2009,
p.19)
|
The use of “men”.
|
|
2
|
Data 02
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.24)
|
The use of generic “man”
|
|
3
|
Data 03
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.16)
|
The use of generic “man”
|
|
4
|
Data 04
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.21)
|
The use of generic “men”
|
|
5
|
Data 05
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.20)
|
The use of generic “man”
|
|
6
|
Data 06
(JP, March 23, 2009, p. 3)
|
Improper use of word “policemen”
|
|
7
|
Data 07
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.14)
|
Improper use of word “fishermen”
|
|
8
|
Data 08
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.2)
|
Improper use of word “businessmen”
|
|
9
|
Data 09
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.11)
|
Improper use of word “gunmen”
|
|
10
|
Data 10
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.6)
|
Improper use of “chairman”
|
|
11
|
Data 11
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.16)
|
Improper use of “gentlemen”
|
|
12
|
Data 12
(JP, March 23, 2009, p.1)
|
Improper use of “chairwoman”
|
|
13
|
Data 13
(JP, April 15, 2009,
p.29)
|
Improper use of “fishermen”
|
|
14
|
Data 14
(JP, March 23, 2009, p. 2)
|
Improper use of “saleswoman”
|
|
15
|
Data 15
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.17)
|
The use of generic “he”
|
|
16
|
Data 16
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.20)
|
The use of generic “his”
|
|
17
|
Data 17
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.17)
|
The use of generic “his”
|
|
18
|
Data 18
(JP, April April 07, 2009, p.17)
|
The use of generic “him”
|
|
19
|
Data 19
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.17)
|
The use of generic “himself”
|
|
20
|
Data 20
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.17)
|
The use of generic “him”
|
|
21
|
Data 21
(JP, April 15, 2009, p.29)
|
The use of generic “him”
|
Table 2: sexist use in the level of word
|
No
|
Source of Data
|
Problem(s)
|
|
1
|
Data 01
(JP, April 02, 2009,
p.26)
|
Improper use of “masterpiece”
|
|
2
|
Data 02
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.8)
|
The use of generic “manpower
|
|
3
|
Data 03
(JP, April 27, 2009, p.14)
|
The use of generic “manpower”
|
|
4
|
Data 04
(JP, April 15, 2009,
p.32)
|
The use of generic “craftsmanship”
|
Table 3: sexist use in the level of
phrase
|
No
|
Source of Data
|
Problem(s)
|
|
1
|
Data 01
(JP, March 23, 2009, p.
3)
|
The use of generic “monks”
|
|
2
|
Data 02
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.19)
|
Improper use of “housewife”
|
|
3
|
Data 03
(JP, April 02, 2009, p.20)
|
Improper use of “brother”
|
|
4
|
Data 04
(JP, April 07, 2009, p.1)
|
Improper use of “manned”
|
Table 4:
sexist use in the level of sentence
Suggestion
The researcher conducts this research using “The Jakarta Post” as source of the data. However, sexist language
case found not only in newspaper, but also in magazine, English guide book for
student, etc. Sexist Language use makes female being invisible and this use
shows if male are superior to female.
The writer would like to suggest for the readers who’s also a writer or
may be have any plan to make any kind of writing. When writing, it is very
important to use language that fits your writing for the audience you are
writing for and the purpose you want to achieve. When you had been finish your
writing, pay attention and read again your paper and make sure if you located male,
female or when you refers to both of them in the right utterances. Inappropriate
language uses can damage your credibility, undermine your argument, or alienate
your audience.
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Available
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[Accessed
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GENDER ASPECT MAKER
USED IN “THE JAKARTA
THESIS
Submitted in Partial Fulfilment to Requirements
for
The Degree of Sarjana Pendidikan of English
Study Program-FKIP
Written By:
HAS ARIMI GAYO MULYA
A1B202018
ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM
LANGUAGE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT
TEACHERS’ TRAINING AND EDUCATION FACULTY
JULY, 2009
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