‘Humanity not mankind’: EU Parliament urges MEPs to adopt ‘gender-neutral’ language
Faced with a fracturing union plagued by internal squabbles, EU Parliament has taken decisive action to solve the bloc’s numerous real-world problems, issuing a pamphlet which urges MEPs to ditch words coined with “man”.
Officials and members in the parliament have been sent guidebooks on using gender-neutral language in all of their official EU-related work and communications, the Telegraph reported on Thursday. Under the new guidelines, European lawmakers will be strongly encouraged to say “chair” instead of “chairman”, “artificial” instead of “man-made”, and “humanity” instead of “mankind.”
“Gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language is more than a matter of political correctness”, the guidebook insists. “Language powerfully reflects and influences attitudes and perceptions.”
The decision has prompted reactions from the country where English originated, especially from those of its citizens who seem to support the UK leaving the bloc.
“Here it comes glad we are leaving,” one Brit on Twitter wrote.
Here it comes glad we are leaving
— jonanon (@jonleepaint) 27 декабря 2018 г.
“Thank f*** we’re leaving! What a load of old s****,” another quipped, using the gender-neutral word for “man-feces.”
Thankfully we will not have to listen to this Brussels-claptrap after the end of March 2019. Goodbye, #EU, good riddance.
— Neil Asher (@NeilNeilasher) 27 декабря 2018 г.
We do not need the EU dictating what should or should not be included in the English language. There is nothing incorrect with the use of structured English language. I for one will not be forced to use imposed language that inherently appeases those with EU semantic disorders.
— CRF (@crf_esq) 27 декабря 2018 г.
Others have argued that the guidelines are an affront to the English language, and attempt to needlessly alter the roots and meaning behind certain words.
As Brexit Happens The EU Parliament Censors The English Language https://t.co/2oY61GNxVF
— Continental Telegraph (@ConTelNews) 27 декабря 2018 г.
Some pointed that the words mean nothing if they are not supported by actions.
The descent of man at the gender neutral EU Parliament? It’s not what you call the job that matters, it’s who you give it to. No point calling it a “chair” if it’s always a man https://t.co/W5TZ8hx4a6
— Beth King (@bethking61) 27 декабря 2018 г.
The guidelines first emerged in November but were geared more towards interpreters, who were advised to use gender-neutral terms when translating between languages.
The EU parliament is just the latest in a long line of Western institutions to strive for a completely inoffensive, neutral-everything world. Everything from Christmas songs to “anti-animal” language has been targeted by the PC police for hurting at least one person’s feelings on Twitter.
