If any profession values the significance of one’s choice of words, it is the legal profession. We know that slight nuances in the meanings of words can result in a deluge of complications. Words have power.
The use of male dominated language has historically been accepted, normalised and expected, with the result that most people are completely oblivious or indifferent to the fact that contracts contain gendered language. It is generally the default position when the gender is unknown. For instance, many may not have even realised that reference to the ‘chairman’ is cast in male form. Research indicates that it is most likely an assumption that this fictitious chairman is a male. The ingrained assumption of masculinity is quite profound.
