Microsoft editing tool advises writers against ‘female’ definition
A DOCUMENT editing tool created by Microsoft has been criticised for advising writers to use “assigned female at birth” rather than “biologically female”.
Critics say that the Microsoft Word function flies in the face of the biological and linguistic meaning of the word “woman” or “female”.
They say it imposes rules on an individual’s writing that amount to censorship and makes a mockery of language as understood by the majority of people, particularly women.
It comes after The Sunday Telegraph reported that Google has also begun telling users not to use particular words because they are not inclusive enough.
The online giant is rolling out an “inclusive language” function that prompts authors to avoid certain words and suggests more acceptable ones.
Microsoft Word has introduced a similar tool, prompting users into the editing function to avoid certain words. Users can opt in or out of the function.
As well as advising users to steer clear of the term “biologically female”, it urges them to change phrases such as Postman Pat to “Postal Worker Pat” as the former “may imply gender bias”.
It also recommends amending Mrs to Ms, including changing “Mrs Thatcher” to “Ms Thatcher”.
In addition, it proposes users change the word “mankind” in Neil Armstrong’s famous phrase “one giant leap for mankind” to “humankind’’ or “humanity”.
Critics have objected in particular to the biological definition of a woman being flagged as potentially offensive.
Helen Staniland, a software developer and feminist activist, said: “Microsoft appears to be trying to influence how people discuss social issues, but not really know or understand what they are suggesting.
“What do they mean by gender bias? Why are they suggesting that the perfectly descriptive phrase ‘biologically female’ might imply a gender bias?
“Why would they presume that ‘assigned female at birth’ might be better?” She added: “It seems that they are trying to jump on the bandwagon of attempting to prevent discussion of ‘biological females’, but their suggestions don’t help them.
“If they wanted to include trans women in this cohort then their suggestion should probably be ‘women’ – if you subscribe to the idea of trans women being women.
“Assigned female at birth is simply another way – albeit in forced genderist language – to discuss the same [group] unless they are attempting to suggest that trans men are neither biological females nor subject to male violence.”
Social media users have also criticised the MicrosoftWord tool’s gender bias warnings. One, called Suze, said: “Sex in utero or birth is based on observable phenotypic traits, which are basically the clearly observable physical traits. It’s not assigned or designated.”
A Microsoft spokesman said: “Microsoft understands that not every editor suggestion may be suitable for all users and all scenarios. That’s why we let users be in control of their final output.”