TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: The myth of sexist language From:Steve Victor <svictor -at- LGC -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 11 Aug 1995 10:52:17 CDT
> >So you will have to try harder to match the clarity of "Each user can open
> >his personal file by choosing the Open command of the File menu."
> >
> >Jean Ichbiah
> >
> How about:
> To open a (or your) personal file, choose the Open command from the File menu.
> Simple, clear, and avoids both passive voice and sexist language.
> Win
Well done, Win. With the typographical convention we follow here, your sentence
becomes even more simple and clear:
To open your personal file, choose File --> Open.
(We use an arrow dingbat for -->.)
Reagards,
Steve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Victor svictor -at- lgc -dot- com
Landmark Graphics Corporation http://www.cda.ulpgc.es/steve.html
15150 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77009 USA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
