Brave new world of gender-inclusive language CMAJ 1997;157:641 See response from: G. Guyatt et al The articles "Attitudes toward the use of gender-inclusive language among residency trainees" (CMAJ 1997;156:1289-93 [abstract / résumé]), by Dr. Gordon H. Guyatt and associates, "Medical curricula for the next millennium: responding to diversity" (CMAJ 1997;156:1295-6 [full text / résumé]), by Dr. Christiane Kuntz, and "Gender sensitivity in medical curricula" (CMAJ 1997;156:1297-1300 [full text / résumé]), by Barbara Zelek and associates, contain a megadose of Orwellian newspeak. Gender-inclusive language and sensitivity are the mantras of the '90s. We have reached the stage where an inanimate object replaces a human (oh, sorry -- living) being, as when chair replaces chairman. This mongrelization of the English language is all but complete, all in the name of political correctness -- a new form of totalitarian suppression of free speech. Emile Berger, MD Montreal, Que. Send a letter to the editor responding to this letter Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cette lettre | CMAJ September 15, 1997 (vol 157, no 6) / JAMC le 15 septembre 1997 (vol 157, no 6) |