Man Made Language

Man Made Language is a 1980 book by Australian Feminist writer Dale Spender. In it she covers various areas of sexism in the nature and use of the English language. Notably how men and women talk/listen differently in couples, mixed and single sex groups; how men have historically constructed the language; how man refers to both men and the species; how God is always seen as male; how intercourse is described as 'penetrative' sex when penetration is something that only the man does. (She suggests 'engulfing/surrounding' sex as an alternative description of coitus from the woman's point of view.) She covers many areas. While much has changed since 1980 much has also still remained the same so the book remains relevant.