ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 82-2006, September 19, 2006
ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 82-2006, September 19, 2006
| TO: | ALL JUSTICE, JUDGES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE JUDICIARY |
| SUBJECT: | CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 12, s. 2005 (USE OF NON-SEXIST LANGUAGE IN ALL OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ISSUANCES) |
Quoted hereunder is Memorandum Circular No. 12, s. 2005 of the CSC.
“Pursuant to CSC Resolution No.
050433 dated March 30, 2005, government officials and employees are
encouraged to use non-sexist language in all official documents,
communications, and issuances.
In line with the government’s efforts
to integrate women’s concerns in its plans and programs through the
years, the Civil Service Commission continuously undertakes gender
mainstreaming activities, taking extra efforts in promoting
gender-sensitivity in the bureaucracy. (GAD) perspectives have been
integrated in the conduct of civil service examinations partly through
the use of non-sexist language in the test items. This has led to the
Commission’s active campaign on the use of gender-fair language.Language is a very essential tool in
communication. It articulates consciousness, reflects culture, and
affects socialization. Hence, the need to recognize the importance of
transforming language from traditional usage to a more liberating one,
that which is gender-sensitive.Since government employees and
officials encounter gender issues everyday, the use of non- sexist
language in preparing letters, memoranda, and other issuances, will
encourage them to make a conscious effort to avoid implicit and explicit
discriminatory language against women or men. This, in turn, will help
promote gender-sensitivity in the bureaucracy.Attached are some suggestions on how to use non-sexist language.
Please be guided accordingly.
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(Sgd)KATRINA CONSTANTINO-DAVID
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Chairperson”
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31 March 2005
SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO USE NON-SEXIST LANGUAGE
1. Eliminate the generic use of he, his or him unless the antecedent is obviously male by:
a. using plural nouns
TRADITIONAL: The lawyer uses his brief to guide him. SUGGESTED: The lawyers use their brief to guide them. b. deleting he, his, and him altogether, rewording if necessary
TRADITIONAL: The architect uses his blueprint to guide him. SUGGESTED: The architect uses a blueprint as a guide. c. substituting articles (a, an, the) for his; using who instead of he
TRADITIONAL: The writer should know his readers well. SUGGESTED: The writer should know the reader’s well. d. using one, we, or you
TRADITIONAL: As one grows older, he becomes more reflective. SUGGESTED: As one grows older, one becomes more reflective. e. using the passive voice
TRADITIONAL: The manager must submit his proposal today. SUGGESTED: The proposal must be submitted by the manager today.
2. Eliminate the generic use of MAN. Instead,
use people, person(s), human(s), humanbeing(s), humankind, humanity,
the human race.
TRADITIONAL: ordinary man, mankind, the brotherhood of man SUGGESTED: ordinary people, humanity, the human family.
3. Eliminate sexism in symbolic representations of gender in words, sentences, and texts by:
a. taking the context of the world, analyzing its meaning, and eliminating sexism in the concept
TRADITIONAL: feelings of brotherhood, feelings of fraternity. SUGGESTED: feelings of kinship, solidarity TRADITIONAL: the founding fathers SUGGESTED: the founders, the founding leaders TRADITIONAL: the Father of relativity theory SUGGESTED: the founder or relativity theory, the initiator of relativity theory b. finding precise words to delineate the thing itself from supposedly sex-linked characteristics
TRADITIONAL: Titanic was a great ship, but she now rests at the bottom of the sea. SUGGESTED: Titanic was a great ship, but it now rests at the bottom of the sea. TRADITIONAL: “Don’t let Mother Nature rip you off! She’s out to kill you car’s new finish……Stop her….” SUGGESTED: “Don’t let Nature rip you off”…It’s out to kill your car’s finish….Stop it….”
4. Eliminate sexual stereotyping of roles by:
a. using the same term for both genders when it comes to profession or employment
TRADITIONAL: salesman, stewardess SUGGESTED: sales agent, flight attendant b. using gender fair terms in lexical terms
TRADITIONAL: sportmanship SUGGESTED: highest ideals of fair play c. treating men and women in a parallel manner
TRADITIONAL: I now pronounce you man and wife. SUGGESTED: I now pronounce you husband and wife. d. avoiding language that reinforces stereotyping images
TRADITIONAL: a man’s job, the director’s girl Friday SUGGESTED: a big job, the director’s assistant e. avoiding language that catches attention to the sex role of men and women
TRADITIONAL: working mothers, spinsters or old maids SUGGESTED: wage-earning mothers, unmarried women TRADITIONAL: busboys, chauvinist pigs SUGGESTED: waiter’s assistants, male chauvinists
5. Eliminate sexism when addressing persons formally by:
a. using Ms. Instead of Mrs.
TRADITIONAL: Mrs. dela Cruz SUGGESTED: Ms. Dela Cruz b. using a married woman’s first name instead of her husband’s
TRADITIONAL: Mrs. Juan dela Cruz SUGGESTED: Ms. Maria Santos-dela Cruz c. using the corresponding titles for females
TRADITIONAL: Dra. Concepcion Reyes SUGGESTED: Dr. Concepcion Reyes d. using the title of the job or group in letters to unknown persons
TRADITIONAL: Dear Sir SUGGESTED: Dear Editor, Dear Credit Manager, Dear Colleague” For the information and guidance of all concerned.
September 19, 2006
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(Sgd)ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN
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Chief Justice
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| Copy furnished: | |
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Office of the Chief Justice |
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