As previously learned in Sociolinguistics, sexist language is language that excludes men and women when discussing a topic that is applicable to both genders. It is more of a gender bias that usually uses words that emphasises on men when the word actually applies to both genders. Examples are words like "fireman" "chairman" "mankind" and many others. These words show the superiority of men and their dominance to the world. However, English language has overcome this problem by replacing the masculine words to a neutral word. For example, instead of using "fireman", we can use "fire-fighter", "chairman" is replaced with "chairperson" and "mankind" to "human race" or "humanity".
Regarding this, we must say that Islam does not distinguish between men and women. Both genders are equal in the eyes of Allah. We cannot say that man is superior than a woman just because he is stronger than her. Islam has given equal responsibility to men and women in their life according to their own strength. Arabic language avoids using sexist language in many cases. The language has already separated both words for a male and a female which they call as "muzakkar" and "muannath". For example are words like "muslim" for a man, and "muslimah" for a woman.
In addition, we also found some examples of sexist language in modern Malay novel where certain word dehumanizes and describes women characters as food to be eaten and a flower which blossoms and then wilts (Yahya Samah, Kelkatu 85), “young meat” (Yahya Samah, Pecah Berderai 4), “country chicken” which has “delicious meat”, “ayam kampung” (Yahya Samah, Kelkatu 93) and “victim”. Here, women are seen as things to be used by men, passive and not in control of their fate. On the other hand, men are referred to “bug”, “animal”, “dog” and “hungry crocodile”. Men as animals indicate that they are “alive” contrary from the women when they are called “dead meat”.
In addition, we also found some examples of sexist language in modern Malay novel where certain word dehumanizes and describes women characters as food to be eaten and a flower which blossoms and then wilts (Yahya Samah, Kelkatu 85), “young meat” (Yahya Samah, Pecah Berderai 4), “country chicken” which has “delicious meat”, “ayam kampung” (Yahya Samah, Kelkatu 93) and “victim”. Here, women are seen as things to be used by men, passive and not in control of their fate. On the other hand, men are referred to “bug”, “animal”, “dog” and “hungry crocodile”. Men as animals indicate that they are “alive” contrary from the women when they are called “dead meat”.
We believe that those
words and phrases used to refer to women not only give negative
connotation to them, regard them insignificant and disgrace them, but
also it is sinful in Islam. This is because women are the best gift
given by Allah to men to be loved, protected and taken care of. Most
importantly, they are amaanah from Allah and we will have to be
responsible for not fulfilling it in the way which it supposed to be.
Therefore, we must avoid from using sexist words to refer to women
instead, we must use nice words and phrases. We as Muslims must think
before we speak as it is us who shape the language and not the language
that shapes the society. When we have a strong and deep thought, the
language that we will utter is good. So insyaAllah, lets make a change
in the sexist language!:)
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