ABSTRACT

Language is created during the process of human being's production and social practice, which is the most vital tool for our thinking and communication. At the same time, human being's thinking, attitudes and culture can also be reflected by language. With its’ rapidly development from 1960s, social linguists have studied social phenomenon which concerns about language. Sexism, deriving from racism has been a hot topic as a sub-branch of language sexism research. 

As a tool of communication, language does not discriminate one certain gender by itself. However, as a social phenomenon, it inevitably reflects various aspects of social life. The gender discrimination shows itself everywhere in life. This thesis illustrates the existence of discrimination against females and anti-male bias as well in English with examples and explores the manifestation and causes of these phenomena from various aspects. The thesis proves that to some extent, both males and females are the victims of social stereotyped ideas. In order to clear up the gender discrimination in language, it is necessary to eliminate the discriminatory and prejudiced ideas against females and males.

Key words：Sexism; anti-male bias; causes; English

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVUEW -4

2.1 Researches At Home-4

2.2 Researches Abroad-4

Chapter Three DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FEMALES IN ENGLISH-7

3.1 From Angle of Vocabulary-7

3.2 From Angle of Seminatics-9

Chapter Four DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MALES IN ENGLISH-12

4.1 From Angle of Vocabulary-12

4.2 From Angle of Seminatics-12

Chapter Five CAUSES OF AND SOLUTION TO GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN ENGLISH-14

5.1 Causes of Gender Discrimination in English-14

5.1.1 Cultural Perspective-14

5.1.2 Social Perspective-14

5.2 Solutions to Eliminate Gender Discrimination in English-15

5.2.1 From linguistic perspective-16

5.2.2 From social perspective-17

Chapter Six CONCLUSION-19

WORKS CITED-21