Expert: Dan Smith - 5/3/2010

Question
hello sir,i am a student of geology in 3rd semister.so i have a problem in biased language.i didn't have any knowledge about biased language.so answer my 3 question
1)What is biased language?
2)How can we avoid biased language in our writing?
3)Which type of biased language we use in our writing?

Answer
Biased language is any language that shows bias for or against some group or identity simply because of its identity. Examples of such bias might be the assumption that one group is superior to another group. The assumptions that Muslims are inherently superior to Jews, Christians, atheists, or Hindus; that blacks are superior to whites (or vice versa); that men are superior to women simply because they are men; or that heterosexual men are superior to gays simply because they are heterosexual men are all examples of bias. If you hold such beliefs and reflect them in your language, I would say: 1) that you are a biased individual, and 2) that your language is biased.

The best way to avoid biased language is to avoid being biased, to recognize that we all have value as individuals and groups, that your "sin" might be someone else's correct way of life, and that the world will probably be a better place when we stop classifying each other as good or bad based on such silliness as religious beliefs or membership in this or that tribe.

As far as I am concerned, no bias is allowable either in language or in life, but it is not easy to keep from being biased. We all belong to different groups, and it is very difficult to accept that those who are different from us may be our equal. But it's worth working on, because the world will have much less senseless conflict in it if we all stop insisting that everyone else be like us.

Hope this helps.