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I am not a native English speaker and I have sometimes referred to people as male and female (as that is what I have been taught) but I have received some backlash in some cases, especially for the word "female", is there some negative thought in the word which I am unaware of?

I don't know if this is the best place to ask, if it's not appropriate I have no problem to delete it ^^

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[-] ripcord@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

My wife tells me that using as an adjective is just as bad and that I should always say "woman", e.g. a woman politician and never a female politician.

I generally disagree and it seems fine and not disrespectful at all. But it's somehat less up to me - I'm not a female.

[-] Kazumara@feddit.de 11 points 9 months ago

My wife tells me that using as an adjective is just as bad and that I should always say “woman”, e.g. a woman politician and never a female politician.

Using a noun as an adjective is just weird, honestly.

[-] investorsexchange@lemmy.ca 3 points 9 months ago

I think that a good rule of thumb is: would you say “male doctor” or “male politician”? If not, is the professional’s gender relevant? Probably not, in which case it sounds pejorative to include it.

[-] ripcord@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

In some cases I would, and I would find it awkward to say "man doctor" or "man politician". I don't think it works at all, and I disagree with her that this really is the way most people try to avoid the naming.

But, kinda like pronoun; I guess I try to listen and be sensitive on things like how women and minorities saybtheyre sensitive about, including labels and etc.

this post was submitted on 11 Mar 2024
249 points (88.3% liked)

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