Abstract: Sexism is a very common phenomenon, which is not only reflected in many aspects of our daily life, but also reflected in the use of language. With the development of feminism movement, the increasing number of linguists start to study the sexism in language, the features of female language as well as the connection between the social culture in western society and the phenomenon of sexism. This paper includes four chapters, and analyzes the research background, the phenomenon of sexism in English, the sociolinguistic interpretation of sexism and the elimination of sexism in the English language respectively. On the one hand, the study of sexism in the English language could improve the understanding of western culture. On the other hand, it could arouse people’s awareness so that people are able to use English properly.

Key words: the English language; sexism; sociolinguistics

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction

Chapter One  Background.

1.1The definition of Sexism.

1.2Previous research on Sexism.

Chapter Two  The phenomena of Sexism in the English language.

2.1Sexism in morphology

2.1.1  Couple Words

2.1.2  Word Formation

2.1.3  Choice of words 

2.2  Sexism in syntax 

2.3 Sexism in semantics

  2.3.1 Transformation from positive to negative meaning.(wench, professional)

  2.3.2 Sexism in the pair words(bachelor, spinster)

2.4 Sexism in proverbs and idioms.

Chapter Three  The sociolinguistic interpretation of sexism.

3.1 The influence of different social divisions of labor .

3.2 The influence of different cultural background.

3.3The reflection of the qualitative mode of thinking in the patriarchal social culture.

Chapter Four  Elimination of Sexism in the English language.

 4.1 Use gender-free words as much as possible.

 4.2 Try not to use the masculine pronoun to indicate the indefinite person.

 4.3 Change the traditional form of address.

Conclusion