dr Dariusz Zembrzuski
Bias-free communication is speech or writing that attempts to include people of all ethnicities, gender
identities, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, abilities, and ages by communicating in a way that makes
no assumptions about the receiver of such communication.
1. Hiding the gender
a. Lexical level
fireman policeman businessman mailman
mankind man’s achievements manmade to man the room
cleaning lady stewardess forefather housewife
b. Grammatical level
Try to come up with the best possible way to avoid sexism in structures.
b1) Before a surgeon can operate, he must know every relevant detail or the patient's history.
b2) After the nurse changed the diaper, she started preparing the injection.
b3) Each consultant has to submit his project proposal before the next team meeting.
b4) Each student must hand in his paper by 2 pm.
b5) A student who wants his essay returned before the test should send this request by e-mail.
b6) As a professor emeritus, s/he is entitled to a reduced parking fee.
b7) When welcoming a new teaching assistant, ask him/her to provide a permanent address.
b8) Danny Jones, a strong athlete, and Suzy Favor, an attractive young runner, are ....
b9) We would like to welcome Prof. Brown and Prof. Julia Smith.
b10) Juliette Blevins is a brilliant female phonologist.
b11) She’s a good basketball player. She shoots like a man.
b12) Pull yourself together and face the challenge. Don’t act like a girl.
b13) What is needed here is a feminine attitude.
b14) Felicia is a kind of person that you need to obey. She is quite masculine.
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dr Dariusz Zembrzuski
2) Hiding the age.
Identify the problems with the sentences below and suggest solutions.
a) The researchers, ages 56 and 62, won a grant from NCN.
b) The social workers have found an immature adolescent in the target house.
c) Darleen Hampton, 62, still puts in a full day in the admissions office.
d) The sweet little old lady beamed as she entered the classroom.
e) Please say hello to our new member Chris, who despite his young age, managed to reach our sales
priority.
f) There are many elderly people in our town.
g) For someone nearing retirement, she caught on to that new software quickly.
3) Hiding the race/ethnicity
a) Andrew Young, the black mayor of Atlanta, cast his vote.
b) Maria Juavez, a Hispanic Professor of Physics, has been promoted to an associate professor.
c) In particular, they appeared less favourable in women and non-white subjects.
d) Not surprisingly, the Asian-American students did best in the math contest.
e) It must be appreciated that Tatiana puts Anglo-Saxon values to practice and quits with the image of
Eastern unreliability.
f) Procedures should not be intimidating for the colored people as they may feel insulted in the USA.
g) Let me wish Merry Christmas to everyone. See you in a week time.
h) Abdul has some of the highest call center ratings, even though his Saudi accent is strong.
4) Hiding disabilities
An impairment is a physiological condition.
Arthritis is an impairment in which tissues of the joints are damaged.
A disability is the consequence of an impairment. A disability may or may not be handicapping.
Disabilities resulting from arthritis include difficulty in bending the spine or limbs, and thus difficulty in walking
or performing tasks.
A handicap is the social implication of a disability; a condition or barrier imposed by society, the environment
or oneself. The term should not be used to describe a disability.
People with arthritic knees and hips may be handicapped by the absence of elevators in older buildings.
a) The visually impaired student used a special keyboard.
b) It is advisable for each WCHS category passenger to be accompanied by an able-bodied person.
c) I met an epileptic on the bus today.
d) He has had the physical handicap since he was 5 years old.
e) Youth centres must be adjusted for crippled people.
f) New facilities have been put to use for special ed students.
5) Hiding sexuality
a) Membership of an ethnic group cannot be grounds for discrimination any more than skin colour, sex,
religion, sexual preference or anything else.
b) Despite efforts by homosexual activists to distance the gay lifestyle from pedophilia, there remains a
disturbing connection between the two, at least for some people.
c) Mr Anders, you are cordially invited with your wife to the annual graduation ball.
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dr Dariusz Zembrzuski
d) As acts of kidnapping can leave a painful mark on the loved ones of the victims, it is advisable to attend
a therapy with boyfriends/girlfriends.
Task
Consider how the following sentences reinforce stereotypes. Then revise the sentences to eliminate the bias.
1. To a woman who possesses the necessary qualifications, nursing offers a life of unusual interest and
usefulness. She will have limitless opportunities to improve herself and to help others.
2. Each laboratory assistant must perform the experiment at least once before he teaches it to the class.
3. The priest asked, "Are you ready to love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your
lives?"
4. Right now we need to assemble the team to run the surgery. I am considering dr Smith, despite the fact
some youngsters should gain their first experience.
5. I announce the 24th of December a free day, so that you start your preparations for Christmas.
6. The mayor set up special safe corridors on pavements for the blind people.
7. Mr Peeters, we wish to invite you to the company’s 10th birthday with your wife.
