Naslov
Analysis of gender-fair language in sport and exercise

Autori
Omrčen, Darija

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Perspektive jezičnoga planiranja i jezične politike / - , 2016, 106-107

Skup
Međunarodni znanstveni skup CLARC 2016

Mjesto i datum
Rijeka, Hrvatska, 03.06.2016. - 05.06.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
sport ; language ; gender-fair

Sažetak
Gender-sensitive language, gender-neutral language, gender-inclusive language, gender-free language and gender-fair language are terms used in English to refer to the usage of tactful and respectful selection of vocabulary devoid of unfounded, unfair and discriminatory reference to women in contrast with men. Sport as a global social phenomenon strives for effort, excellence, fair play, solidarity and respect for all, and tries, among other things connected with these principles, to implement gender-fair policy throughout its domains, language included. The aim of this research was to analyse, both diachronically and synchronically, the usage of gender-fair language in competitive sport as well as in science, i.e. scientific articles addressing sport-related topics. To realize the aim of research, several relevant sources were inspected. As for competitive sport, the research developed in two directions. Firstly, the Olympic Charter and some other documents published by the International Olympic Committee were scrutinized to identify examples of gender-fair vocabulary both with respect to diachrony and synchrony of their usage. To be able to gain insight into the usage of vocabulary when referring to male and female athletes, texts of the Olympic Charter (the name is generally used in reference to all the editions) were analysed from its first edition in the English language, besides French, published in 1930 up to the latest edition published in 2015. Secondly, several other documents published either by the International Olympic Committee or by other international sports organisations and governing bodies of sport (e.g. International Handball Federation – IHF, International Association of Athletics Federations – IAAF) were investigated to find out whether they abide by the principle of using gender-fair language. Further, names of sporting events and terms designating a person or persons (e.g. twoman bob, two-man men) participating in a sporting event in any way were explored. As regards scientific inquiry, to analyse the policy of abiding by the same principle, i.e. by the principle of using non-discriminatory language in scholarly writing, some publications that stand out in terms of their relevance regarding publication style, e.g. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association, 6th edition, 2010), as well as several highly rated journals that publish articles whose topics are sport-related were selected. Web of Science, an example of a relevant and a highly valued database in which a multitude of scientific publications – sport-related in terms of their topic as well – are indexed, was searched to look into word choice used to talk about women and men in sport. The analysis has shown that special attention is paid to using gender-fair language both in competitive sport and in scientific writing. Although evidence revealed that in some cases gender-fair language is either inconsistently used or better solutions should be sought, sport is indisputably a domain which strives to follow a policy aimed at developing equal opportunities for women and men – using gender-fair language being one of the ways to corroborate this endeavour.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filologija

POVEZANOST RADA