Language: A transformative key

Abstract

“If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.” W.I. Thomas's insight along with the Whorfian Hypothesis provide us with a clue to the immense significance of language as the essential key to the social construction of reality. This article explores linguistic implications for transformations in language usage as applied to gender-role and the cultural ideal of equality. (Definition of the situation, Whorfian Hypothesis, nonsexist language strategies, social transformation)