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The Italian Encyclopedia of Sciences, Letters and Arts, commonly known as Treccani, changed some of the derogatory synonyms indicated under “woman”. An incredible victory, if you can call it that. How incredible is the fact that, until today, terms such as bitch, slut or whore, were associated with the female figure.
We are not surprised by this, unfortunately. Since we know well how easy it is for others to call us by these “names”, at the slightest step taken, gesture completed, or chosen clothing. What is certain is that we legitimize these words, through a reference educational tool as an encyclopedia is, it is quite different.
The truth is that male chauvinism and gender stereotypes they are so steeped in modern society that they inevitably also affect the Italian language. That is why it is not really a victory, because a battle was fought that had no reason to exist, why the woman is not a servant, a bitch, much less a whore. But it still took the strength and tenacity of many women who, united, fought to claim the rights of all of us.
It was the Italian Maria Beatrice Giovanardi the pioneer of this crusade towards change, starting with her request for the prestigious English vocabulary Oxford Dictionary, of eliminate sexist phrases under “woman”, considered only “the wife, the woman, the lover of a man”.
Once the first result was obtained, Giovanardi, together with other activists, wrote a letter to the Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia Treccani to ask for changes to the entry “woman”. The request was clear and no-nonsense: eliminate offensive expressions aimed only at reinforcing the negative and misogynistic stereotypes that objectify the woman and instead use others adhering to reality, just as happens to the male voice. He, the man, is in fact considered “to be conscious and responsible for his actions”, “businessman”, “man of genius”, “man of heart” or “man of respect”.
After an initial refusal by the Institute to accept the request because “Words have a history that cannot be erased”, Treccani has finally decided to proceed with the elimination of all those sexist expressions and words, with the promise of using synonyms that can enhance the intellectual and social goals of women.
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