A Feminist Dictionary

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A Feminist Dictionary,[1] published in its second edition as Amazons, Bluestockings, and Crones: A Feminist Dictionary,[2] is an alternative dictionary compiled by Cheris Kramarae, Ann Russo, and Paula A. Tredichler. The dictionary was first published by in 1985. It has over 2500 words and definitions from a feminist perspective, with the intent of “forcing us to consider who assembles the dictionaries usually consulted and to ask how the words have been chosen."[3] The dictionary can be described as a "sort of a cross between the OED and the Whole Earth Catalog,"[4] which uses speeches, graffiti, and quotes from famous women, as its sources.

The purpose of a Feminist Dictionary[]

Through the use of academic papers, speeches, and even graffiti it is possible to create feminist dictionaries that arguably are needed for several reasons.[5] One argument, made by feminist author Cheris Kramarae, is that society is not able to put women's experiences into words.[6] Kramarae's point is that women's experiences are not accounted for as our language was never designed to reflect women. The author is arguing that by creating new words, and through redefining existing ones we will start to see a society that is more equal. One that reflects all experiences and where everyone can express exactly what they are feeling, as men and women communicate differently.[7] In "Gender, Language, and Discourse: A Review Essay," author Deborah Cameron explains that men and women use language differently. However, it is according to Cameron not enough to simply acknowledge how men and women differ in their use of language. Instead, when raising concerns about language we should look at how language is interpreted, or used.[8]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ A Feminist Dictionary. Google Books. 1996-09-01. ISBN 9780252066436. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. ^ Amazons, Bluestockings and Crones: A Feminist Dictionary. Amazon. ISBN 0044408633.
  3. ^ Nichols, Patricia C. (Spring 1988). "A Feminist Dictionary by Cheris Kramarae; Paula A. Treichler; Grammar and Gender by Dennis Baron". Signs. 3. 13 (3): 600–603. doi:10.1086/494447. JSTOR 3174187.
  4. ^ McConnel-Ginet, Sally; Kramarae, Cheris; Treichler, Paula A. (Spring 1987). "A Feminist Dictionary by Cheris Kramarae; Paula A. Treichler". Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. 1. 6: 128–129. doi:10.2307/464171. JSTOR 464171.
  5. ^ McConnell-Ginet, Sally (1987). "Review of A Feminist Dictionary". Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. 6 (1): 128–129. doi:10.2307/464171. ISSN 0732-7730.
  6. ^ Kramarae, Cheris; Treichler, Paula A. (September 1996). A Feminist Dictionary. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-06643-6.
  7. ^ Cameron, Deborah (1998). "Gender, Language, and Discourse: A Review Essay". Signs. 23 (4): 945–973. ISSN 0097-9740.
  8. ^ Cameron, Deborah (1998). "Gender, Language, and Discourse: A Review Essay". Signs. 23 (4): 945–973. ISSN 0097-9740.


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