What Is Biased Language? Definition And Examples
BIASED LANGUAGE – In this topic, we are going to know the definition of biased language and the following examples.
Definition
According to ThoughtCo, it referds to words or phrases that are considered prejudiced, offensive, and hurtful.
These include expressions that degrades or exclude people due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, social class, or physical or mental traits.
The term biased or its root word bias refers to language that is uneven or unbalanced or not representing a fair representation.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell says that a person, or in this case must strive and try to avoid this in writing and speaking since such language could have “hidden messages about the superiority or inferiority of various groups.
- (Bias) If he is elected, he would be the first person of color in the White House.
- (Alternative) lf he is elected, he would be the first African-American in the White House.
- (Bias) There are many elderly people in our town.
- (Alternative) There are many senior citizens (or seniors) in our town.
- (Bias) They have hired more broads this year than men. Nobody used to hire micks around here.
- (Alternative) They have hired more women this year than men. Nobody used to hire individuals around here of Irish descent.
- (Bias) I’m sorry; I must have been having a blonde moment. Our neighbor drives like a farmer. Cho Yung, a Chinese exchange student, is of course good at science. Since the surgery, my father moves like an old fogy.
- (Alternative) I’m sorry; I must not have understood what you said. Our neighbor is a slow driver. Cho Yung, a hard-working exchange student, does well in science. Since the surgery, my father moves more slowly.
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