Articles about Language
Feminist critics of SlutWalk have forgotten that language is not a commodity
SlutWalk is primarily a protest movement against victim-blaming, points out Sophie Jones. Feminist critics of the name have got the wrong end of the stick, she argues
Sophie Jones // 8 June 2011
Men and women: are we really worlds apart?
Do women and men talk differently? And, if they do, why? Kitty Sadler explores the theories
Kitty Sadler // 13 March 2011
Categories: Language
Ms, Miss or Mrs?
Amelia Sage argues that titles still retain powerful and bemusing stereotypes
Amelia Sage // 10 July 2010
Categories: Language
Feminism and the vampire novel
Much has been written about sexism in the Twilight books and film. Here, Caitlin Brown puts the series in context of other popular vampire fiction
Caitlin Brown // 8 September 2009
Categories: Culture and Media, Feminism, Language, Racism, Sex and Relationships, Stereotypes
Across the porn divide
It's time to end the battle of words, argues Debi Crow
Debi Crow // 10 September 2008
In the name of the father...
For many women, getting married still means changing their name. Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams has an alternate proposal
Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams // 20 August 2008
Categories: Family, Feminism, Language, Sex and Relationships
Trans 101
Helen G sets out a glossary of common terms and definitions
Helen G // 17 March 2008
Categories: Language
How to get an activist movement to keep women in prostitution
What use are sex worker groups that give out condoms and showers, but can't help women who want to exit prostitution? Ekis reports from Barcelona on prostitution and the campaign for legalisation
Ekis // 16 March 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Feminism, Language, Politics and Current Affairs, Sex and Relationships, Violence, Work and Play
How the word 'slut' oppresses women
Ever been called a 'slag'? How about 'frigid'? Jennifer Drew explains how such derogatory language is used to keep women in their place
Jennifer Drew // 31 January 2008
Categories: Language, Sex and Relationships, Violence
How not to write your policy on transgender rights
A Home Office policy that should help protect transgender civil servants from discrimination? Great news. But, asks Emma Wood, why does it insist that women and men have different brains?
Emma Wood // 5 December 2007
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Language, Work and Play
Feeling a bit uncomfortable?
Who wants to be told they have an incompetent cervix? Jane Purcell reports from the maternity ward
Jane Purcell // 4 December 2007
Categories: Body and Health, Family, Language
Does 'gender neutral' language serve to cover up male violence?
Gender-neutral language applies to male criminals, but not to their female victims, argues Jennifer Drew
Jennifer Drew // 3 December 2007
Categories: Culture and Media, Language, Men, Violence
A Bride by Any Other Name
When Eleanor Turner announced that she would not be changing her name after walking down the aisle, and instead her new husband would take on her surname, reactions ranged from shock to annoyance. She considers why breaking with tradition provokes such strong feelings
Eleanor Turner // 2 May 2007
Categories: Family, Language, Sex and Relationships, Work and Play
Men and Children First
Can women ever achieve parity with men when deep seated views of their physical weakness still remain? Ealasaid Gilfillan argues that linking 'women and children' together is a symptom of the sort of ingrained attitudes that must be challenged if women are to move forwards.
Ealasaid Gilfillan // 1 February 2007
Categories: Body and Health, Language
Mind Your Language
'Political Correctness gone mad' is considered the ultimate insult whenever a feminist dares to speak up about language. Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams isn't scared off though: she argues that we need to question and challenge the words we use now more than ever.
Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams // 8 January 2007
Categories: Language
War of Words
'Feminism' 'Slut' 'Bitch': all powerful words evoking strong (mostly negative) reactions. Should we reclaim tainted words, or drop them for something less provocative? Kate Townshend discusses this question, and explains why the language we use to define ourselves - and allow others to use to define us - is still important to the feminist cause.
Kate Townshend // 16 November 2006
Subvert the Dominant Pimpiarchy
How did the abusive, exploitative role of Pimp become the epitome of cool? Rachel Bell comments on this outrageous trend in modern culture.
Rachel Bell // 8 November 2004
Categories: Culture and Media, Language, Violence
Taboo For Who?
Swearing is becoming more accepted in our society, but many people still consider 'cunt' taboo. Why is this? It's time we got over such silly squeamishness, Kate Allen argues.
Kate Allen // 19 October 2003
Categories: Language
The Name of the Game
Can you be a 'Mrs' and a feminist at the same time? Mrs Angela Everitt explores.
Angela Everitt // 19 October 2003
Categories: Language, Sex and Relationships
