Names and naming: Difference between revisions
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* The practice of using [[Pseudonyms|pseudonyms]] or [[Initials|initials]] to disguise gendered names | * The practice of using [[Pseudonyms|pseudonyms]] or [[Initials|initials]] to disguise gendered names | ||
* [[Gendered Personal Names|Gendered personal names]] (Michele vs. Michel, Anna, James) | * [[Gendered Personal Names|Gendered personal names]] (Michele vs. Michel, Anna, James) | ||
* [[Honorary names]] - Naming awards, buildings, roads after particular individuals; or naming ships or hurricanes; or assigning "he" or "she" to countries (the "fatherland"; "mother earth") | |||
Names in a patrilineal or patriarchal society can serve to render women's identities, accomplishments, history, and lives invisible. A woman who marries and changes her name with each marriage, or whose children take their names from their fathers, lend significant difficulty in tracing her life and history. A woman who is under economic or social pressure not to use her own or original name because it is [[gendered]] is forced to thereby contribute to the erasure and invisibility of ''women'' as a sex in the historical record. | Names in a patrilineal or patriarchal society can serve to render women's identities, accomplishments, history, and lives invisible. A woman who marries and changes her name with each marriage, or whose children take their names from their fathers, lend significant difficulty in tracing her life and history. A woman who is under economic or social pressure not to use her own or original name because it is [[gendered]] is forced to thereby contribute to the erasure and invisibility of ''women'' as a sex in the historical record. | ||
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Women who are given gender-ambiguous names (e.g., "Terry" in English) face a similar problem, because gender-ambiguous names may be read as a masculine default, especially if the woman is operating in a setting in which women are a minority. | Women who are given gender-ambiguous names (e.g., "Terry" in English) face a similar problem, because gender-ambiguous names may be read as a masculine default, especially if the woman is operating in a setting in which women are a minority. | ||
[[Category:Names and naming]] | [[Category:Names and naming| ]] | ||
Revision as of 12:00, 28 April 2007
Names and naming are powerful tools in constructing how we think of people or things, and how information is controlled or passed on.
Consider:
- Pronouns, such as per, which establish gender identity
- Surnames & family naming conventions
- Honorifics which are gendered (establish gender identity) or establish politics, class rank, marital status, etc. (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss)
- The practice of using pseudonyms or initials to disguise gendered names
- Gendered personal names (Michele vs. Michel, Anna, James)
- Honorary names - Naming awards, buildings, roads after particular individuals; or naming ships or hurricanes; or assigning "he" or "she" to countries (the "fatherland"; "mother earth")
Names in a patrilineal or patriarchal society can serve to render women's identities, accomplishments, history, and lives invisible. A woman who marries and changes her name with each marriage, or whose children take their names from their fathers, lend significant difficulty in tracing her life and history. A woman who is under economic or social pressure not to use her own or original name because it is gendered is forced to thereby contribute to the erasure and invisibility of women as a sex in the historical record.
Women who are given gender-ambiguous names (e.g., "Terry" in English) face a similar problem, because gender-ambiguous names may be read as a masculine default, especially if the woman is operating in a setting in which women are a minority.