The University of Manchester has issued a new “inclusive language” guide to help “promote equality” on the campus – effectively advising against the use of non-gender-neutral terms such as “mother” and “father”.
Instead, the university says, we should call our loving mums and dads simply “parents” or “guardians".
The guide also encouraged people to refer to brothers and sisters as “siblings” and try to avoid dubbing fellow humans "women" and "men". “People” and “individuals” are better alternatives, the uni staff say.
“We use gender-neutral terms, rather than those that make sex distinction,” the guide explains, clarifying that even the word “man-made” should be avoided.
The university denied effectively “banning” any words as alleged by some media outlets, saying that the document was simply a “guidance” and recommendation to the staff.
"This is well established terminology and does not in any way mean that we are banning the words 'mother' or 'father',” the spokesman told BBC.
But the “inclusive” guide has still provoked fury online, with some people ridiculing the fact that based on this “language policing”, even the university should replace its name now…
“Will it also strike Man from the word Manchester?” one person joked.
Hadn't you heard? It's the University of Personchester now.
— Henry Hardy (@hardywolfson) March 11, 2021
Manchester University is now policing the English Language. The Chinese Government would be proud. #ManchesterUniversity #FreeSpeech
— sam (@sam_georgo) March 12, 2021
How is this "inclusive"
— Neil Roberts (@nroberts017) March 11, 2021
I am at a loss for words
For Christ’s sake. Why do they hate women so badly?
— Helen (@hgradfem101) March 11, 2021
Total insanity! Time to bite back by not filling their pockets with our money and not letting them indoctrinate our children. They have a sad, miopic view of life... 1984 is fast approaching unless we cancel these crazy institutions. Prospective parents, think carefully.
— Robert Barany. (@RobertBarany1) March 11, 2021
Language policing at Manchester University. Read its dreadful Guidelines on Inclusive Language. It is not just about language but controlling the way you think.https://t.co/sZfxUOV6bw
— Frank Furedi (@Furedibyte) March 11, 2021
British Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis called the guidance "wokery gone mad".
