Sexism in Language

Zarghoona Kakar Sexism in language
Definition Sexism in language is Prejudice or discrimination based on sex especially discrimination against women.
Sexist language is language that excludes either men or women when discussing a topic that is applicable to both sexes. * Pashto as a sexist language
It has been said that English, which is an international language, reflects sexism. Despite decades of feminist consciousness-raising, sexist language still exists in English culture. Gender-specific titles and pronouns can subtly influence sexism as well as our thoughts and expectations about gender roles and appropriate occupations and goals for the sexes. So, if an international language is not free from sexism, then what about other languages, which are not spoken as international languages or which are not spoken by greater number of people.
Pashto is also one of those languages, which is effected by sexism. Sexism in Pashto language is much similar to sexism in English language. * Generic noun
Like English language Pashto has also a generic noun “man” (sadai سړى), which apparently used for both male and female but it specifies gender and it only refers to male.
Examples
* Man should help other. (Sadai da cha marasta waki کی و مرسته ه چا ا د سړى). * If two women are discussing or planning something they say; * If man, do this. ( ka sadai dasi waki) کی و سی ا د سړى که ). * To be man enough asarai daz) jorka که جوړ څانه د سړی )
Son ( zoi زوی )
“Son” is a gender specified term and which refers to male but In Pashto it is used for girls also. This noun (son بیثا) is most famous example in Urdu language as well.
For instance, when a mother, and father is calling or advising their daughter, they say * Son, be valiant and show your Mannish. ( zoi ( بیثا)syalasa sa khapala sayali shakara ka.) که ښکاره سیالی خپله سه له سیا ذوي The pronoun of Pashto does not reflect much sexism.

* Marked terms in Pashto language
Pashto language has all marked terms for Women. There are some professional terms; by adding suffix, which are used to refer to women such as “a” (ه).
Doctor , Doctora, کثر ه ا ډ
Engineer ,engineera,
Teacher ,teachera or (محلمه),
Nursa , (نرسه)
As in English language the term nurse only used for female, same is case with Pashto, and we have no term for male nurse and we use the word “nurse” only for female which shows women subordinated. * Some stereotype terms in Pashto language
There are some stereotype words in Pashto, which are labeled with women.
Such as the word, “coward” they label with women.
E.g. Coward like women. ( werandoki laka shaza و روندوکی لکه ښڅه )
Womanish cry ( shazani zara ) شڅنۍ زړا یا ژړا * Proverbs in Pashto which reflect sexism * The sword is wielded through man. (Tori pa sari wale she)شي . هلي و سړى په توري * Be manly in toughtime.( pa gham ki mardana Garza ) په غم کی مردانه ګر څه

* Desire a man’s disposition, and a loin’s heart. ( da sari khoi or da zamari(loin) zara ghwara) غواړه زړه مری ز ده اور ده سړی خوي

* The tiger rends his prey, the jackal, too benefits by it.
(zamari mata waka da gidari hm pasha swa) سوه پښه حم داګدړی که و ماته زمری
Tiger here refers to man and jackal refers to woman. The meaning is that women are always reliant on man. Man maintains both, himself and women.

* Naming Practice in Pashto language
Naming practice, which is the first identity of a child, also reflects sexism for instance there are some names which refer to male but it is used for female as well. * Namesake ( male and female)
Eg. “storai” (ستورئ) Star ” Gull (flower) Sabawoon (سباون) Dawn
Gulalai لالیئ گل Beautiful Flower Bud
Zartaj / Zartash (تاج زر ) Gold Crown
Wrashmin (ورېشمين) Silken
Nangialai (ننګيالئ) Honorable
Lmer لمر Sun
Zar Gul ( ګل زر ) Gold Flower
These all are masculine terms in Pashto but we use for female as well which shows the high status of male. * Names, which are drawn from male names
Wadaan (ودان) Prosperous, Wadaana (ودانه),
Shamrez, شمریز , شمریزہ Shamreza Taaj تاج Crown
Taja تاجہ crown
Bakhtawar بختور Lucky
Bakhtawara (بختوره) Lucky
Balbal (بلبل) Name of Bird; Bulbul; Nightingale
Balbala (بلبله) Name of Bird; Bulbul; Nightingale
Lawangeen لونگین Clove
Lanwangeena لونګینهClove
Sangin (سنګين) Polite,
Sangina( سنګینه ) Polite
Munawar (منؤر) Enlightened
Munawara (منؤره) Enlightened * Some demeaning or despised terms used for women/girls

If a parent wants no more daughters, they put certain names Such as; Bala Nashta (نشته بله ) No one else
Khatamsa ختمسه (do finish)
Norina نورینه (No more)
These shows that woman is degraded in society. Parents want a baby boy because he will become the source of earning in their future but they do not want a baby girl because they consider girl the source of expenditure. * Implicit sexism in Invitation cards
Not only names and proverbs of Pashto reflect sexism but sexism lies in invitation cards as well as in English language.

In the above-mentioned cards, not only the name of brides are absent but also the size of writing fonts is small even invisible. In first card, the name of the groom is not on the top but also in bold font. But the bride name is blurred.
In short, sexism in language is gender bias, which can occur consciously or unconsciously. When unconscious, the gender bias in language can be considered the product of society, and Sexism in language is not only the issue of English or Pashto language but it is a universal phenomenon.