浅析英语中的性别歧视现象

　　3.2.3 MetaphorLanguage exists to allow us to communicate with one another.

　　To this end, language serves two purposes: to communicate whatour reality is and also what we wish it to be. So if weidentify a trait in a language, such as sexism or other formsof prejudice, this only reveals a prejudice that exists insociety. Language, in particular metaphor, helps form socialreality. There are many metaphors to describe a female. Butoften it has a totally different meaning.

　　(1) food metaphorSome food words can also be used to refer to females, suchas cheese cake (奶酪蛋糕——****女画)，cherry (樱桃——处女)，cookie(点心——可爱的女人)，crumpet (松脆饼——性感女人)，tart (果馅饼——妓女)，tomato(西红柿——漂亮女人), honey (蜜糖——宝贝、亲爱的), piece (点心——女人)，peach(桃子——漂亮女人) and so on. Men often use these words to expresstheir appreciation to women. It even includes the meaning thatmen treat women as dolls.[15]

　　(2) animal metaphorThere are also many words showing contempt for women. Theyembody sexual discrimination but still enjoy great popularity.

　　For example: chick (小鸡——少女)，kitten(小猫——活泼年轻的姑娘)，bitch（母狗——泼妇），cat (猫——丑妇、贱妇、讨厌的女人)，dragon(龙——倔强的女人)，hen (母鸡——爱管闲事的女人), cow (奶牛——子女多的女人、妓女)，crone(老母羊——干瘪的丑老太婆) and mare-horse (母马——粗声大气、肥胖固执的女人) and so on.

　　[16] These are all pejorative terms for women, because animalsare considered to be inferior to human beings on the earth. Sousing animals to refer to females indicates that females areinferior.

　　The semantic derogation of women helps to construct femaleinferiority and because women are confined to negative terms,women continue to be devalued.

　　4. Signs of the fading of sexism in the English LanguageLanguage is not only used to exchange ideas, conveyinformation, but also used to set up and maintain theharmonious relationship between human beings, create and keepthe effective communication environment among social membersand groups. Any form of sexist language, whether on purpose ornot, will probably stand off or offend some social member orgroup. Language and language use mirror social attitudes andstereotypes and bias.