University bans ‘right hand man’ and other ‘sexist’ everyday phrases
A UNIVERSITY has banned phrases such as “right-hand man” and “gentlemen’s agreement” under its code of practice on inclusive language.
Cardiff Metropolitan University’s guidance dictates that “gender-neutral” terms should be used where possible, adding that students should not allow their “cultural background” to affect their choice of words.
It advises that terms such as “forefathers”, “mankind” and “sportsmanship” should be avoided, as part of efforts to “embrace cultural diversity” through language.
The move has been criticised for undermining free speech and “insulting” students and academics by attempting to dictate their choice of words.
Dr Joanna Williams, a lecturer in higher education at the University of Kent and author of Academic Freedom in an Age of Conformity, said that advising people that certain words were banned was “unnecessary”.
“It is a very authoritarian attempt to control the way people think and the language people use,” she said.
“The idea that in a university people need to be dictated to in this way is really insulting to students and academics – we should be able to cope with words. These words have evolved over a long period of time and they don’t have sexist associations.”
Students have been told that stereotyping through language “denies people’s individuality”, and that instead, they should strive to “promote an atmosphere in which all students feel valued”. However, the guidance, which includes a list of 34 words and phrases that should be avoided, does say that students need not be “too anxious” about the use of language.
“Blind people do use terms like ‘see you later’ and being too careful can make conversation painful for both parties,” it adds.
It is the latest in a series of attempts on university campuses to implement “politically correct” policies. Earlier this week it emerged that Cambridge University students had complained about being served “Jamaican stew” and “Tunisian rice”, claiming that the cultures were “misrepresented”.
Theresa May has also criticised some universities for implementing “safe space” policies amid concerns that selfcensorship is curtailing freedom of speech on campuses. The Prime Minister said it was “quite extraordinary” for universities to ban the discussion of certain topics that could cause offence.
A survey by the radical magazine Spiked, published last month, found that 90 per cent of British universities have been involved in restricting free speech on campus.
It found that in the last year, 21 universities banned high-profile speakers from attending lectures, debates or speeches because of their views, including Oxford, King’s College London and University College London.
According to the survey, more than 60 per cent of universities now “severely restrict” free speech, meaning they actively censor particular ideas, speakers and texts on campus.
A spokesman for Cardiff Metropolitan University said: “The university is committed unreservedly to the principle of academic freedom within the law. It is also committed to providing an environment where everyone is valued and treated with dignity and respect.” The spokesman said that the new code of practice aimed to promote “fairness and equality through raising awareness about the effects of potentially discriminatory vocabulary”.
‘The idea that in a university people need to be dictated to in this way is really insulting to students’