Why is 'he' always the default when we're speaking?
Ever felt like the world wasn't quite made for you?
Imagine you're left-handed, but every pair of scissors, every desk, every can opener, even every computer mouse, is designed for right-handers. Sure, you can still use them, but it always feels a bit awkward, a bit clunky. You feel like an 'exception', always having to adapt to a 'default' rule.
Well, the language we use every single day is a bit like that world designed for right-handers.
It has an invisible 'default setting'.
Language's 'Factory Settings' are a Bit Old
Think about it: when we mention words like 'doctor', 'lawyer', 'author', or 'programmer', what's the first image that pops into your head – a man or a woman?
Most of the time, we default to a man. If it's a woman, we often feel the need to specifically add 'female', like 'female doctor' or 'female programmer'.
Conversely, we rarely say 'male nurse' or 'male secretary', because in those fields, the default image has shifted to female.
Why is that?
It's not some grand conspiracy; it's simply because our language is a very old system, and its 'factory settings' were established hundreds, even thousands, of years ago. In those eras, social roles were very clearly defined, with most public roles performed by men. As a result, language set 'male' as the 'default option' for describing human professions and identities.
'He' doesn't just represent men; it's often used to refer to someone whose gender is unknown. It's as if, in the system, person = he. And 'she' became 'Option B', requiring special annotation.
It's like those scissors designed only for right-handers; it's not deliberately excluding anyone, but it certainly makes the other half of the population feel 'non-mainstream' and 'in need of extra explanation'.
Language Doesn't Just Describe the World, It Shapes It
You might say: "It's just a habit, how important can it be?"
Very important. Because language isn't just a tool for communication; it quietly shapes the way we think. The words we use determine the kind of world we're able to see.
If the words in our language representing strength, wisdom, and authority always default to men, then subconsciously, we'll associate these qualities more with men. Women's achievements and presence become blurred, even 'invisible'.
It's like an old city map that only shows a few main roads from decades ago. Sure, you can still find your way with that map, but all the newly built communities, train lines, and fascinating laneways – you won't see any of them.
Our world has changed dramatically. Women, just like men, are excelling and making significant contributions in every industry. Our social identities are also far richer and more diverse than just 'he' or 'she'. But our language, this 'map', is updating far too slowly.
Give Our Language a 'System Upgrade'
So, what should we do? We can't just throw out language and start again, can we?
Of course not. We don't need to throw out the whole city; we just need to update that old map.
Just as we've started designing special scissors and tools for left-handers, we can consciously 'upgrade' our linguistic tools to make them more precise, more inclusive, and truly reflective of the real world.
1. Make the 'invisible' visible. When you know someone is a woman, feel comfortable using terms like 'actress', 'female boss', or 'female founder'. This isn't about making a special case; it's about acknowledging and celebrating a fact: yes, women are present and active in these important roles.
2. Use more inclusive expressions. When you're unsure of someone's gender, or want to include everyone, use more neutral terms. For example, use 'everyone' or 'folks' instead of 'gentlemen', and 'firefighter' or 'healthcare worker' to describe a group.
This isn't about 'political correctness'; it's about 'precision'. It's like upgrading your phone's operating system from iOS 10 to iOS 17 – it's not about being trendy, it's about making it more functional, more powerful, and relevant to the current era.
Every time we choose a more inclusive word, we're adding new details to our mental 'map', making those previously overlooked corners clear and visible.
Bridging Languages, Seeing a Bigger World
When we cast our gaze beyond our immediate surroundings to the wider world, this 'language upgrade' becomes even more crucial.
When communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds, we're not just translating words; we're crossing boundaries of thought. You'll discover that different languages hide entirely different 'default settings' and ways of viewing the world.
To truly understand someone, a word-for-word translation simply isn't enough. We need a tool that genuinely understands culture and context, helping us break down barriers and build genuine connections.
This is precisely the purpose of a tool like Intent. It's more than just a chat app; its AI translation feature helps you understand the subtle cultural nuances behind language, allowing you to have deep and meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere in the world.
Ultimately, whether we're upgrading our own native language or crossing borders to understand another, we're pursuing the same goal:
To see a more authentic and complete world through a broader perspective.
And all of this can start by changing just one word we utter.