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This is an article that highlights the sexist remarks inside the Oxford English Dictionary. It mentions things such as marked forms, as well as derogative terms that are aimed at women. The article begins with discussing the sexist comments about women used to describe certain words, and what we associate with them. The word "rabid" being followed by "feminist" in the dictionary, suggests that being a feminist is a negative thing and maybe that it can be seen as a derogative form. Again, words such as "nagging" are followed by "wife", as well as "grating" and "shrill" being used to describe women's voices but not the men's. This all talks about women in a negative way, constantly putting them down and being insulting rather than using more positive terms such as "strong" which may have been associated with men.
It is mentioned that The Oxford Dictionary publishers have noted that these things are not their own views, but from things we would likely hear in general English conversation, thus suggesting that the problem is with English Speakers, and not this dictionary itself. As the article continues, it mentions and explains certain words that are now found in the dictionary which are a derogative to women, a marked form or just politically incorrect. Words such as "hussy" and "governess" are discussed, which are used in a way to put women down and insult them. This article shows how social conditions have left their mark on our language, and how it is still evolving and changing. Hopefully, our language will evolve and grow in a way that allows it to not be sexist, but for now there is a problem at the heart of the English language.
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