What does gender-neutral language aim to eliminate?

Prepare for the ASU COM316 Exam 2 on Gender and Communication with practice tests from Examzify. Understand key concepts and enhance your skills. Get ready for your exam success with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations!

Gender-neutral language aims to eliminate masculine generic language, which refers to the use of male-oriented terms as default references to all genders. For example, using "mankind" to represent humanity or "he" to address individuals of any gender reinforces the idea that male experiences are the standard or norm.

By opting for inclusive terms such as "humankind" or "they" as a singular pronoun, gender-neutral language contributes to a more balanced representation of all genders and helps challenge traditional linguistic constructs that may perpetuate gender stereotypes. The focus on eliminating masculine generic language is crucial in promoting equality and respect for diverse gender identities, making communication more inclusive and reflective of society's varied composition.

The other options, while related to gender and communication, do not capture the primary goal of gender-neutral language as directly as this one. Stereotypical job titles and sexist remarks are certainly issues addressed within the broader framework of gender equality, but the use of masculine generics is a specific linguistic issue that gender-neutral language seeks to remedy directly. Ambiguous terminology might cause confusion but does not inherently pertain to gender issues, making the focus on masculine generic language particularly pertinent in discussions of gender-neutral language.

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