Why Do We Always Default to ‘He’ When We Speak?
Have you ever felt like the world wasn't tailor-made for you?
Imagine if you were left-handed, but all scissors, desks, can openers, and even computer mice in the world were designed for right-handers. You could use them, of course, but it would always feel a bit awkward, unnatural, and cumbersome. You'd feel like an 'exception,' needing to adapt to a 'default' rule.
In fact, the language we use every day is just like this world designed for right-handers.
It has an invisible 'default setting.'
Language's 'Factory Settings' Are a Bit Outdated
Think about it: when we mention words like 'doctor,' 'lawyer,' 'writer,' or 'programmer,' what's the first image that comes to mind – a man or a woman?
In most cases, we default to a male image. If it's a woman, we often need to specifically add a qualifier like 'female,' for instance, 'female doctor' or 'female programmer.'
Conversely, we rarely say 'male nurse' or 'male secretary,' because in these fields, the default image has, in turn, become female.
Why is this the case?
This isn't some conspiracy; it's simply because our language is a very ancient system, its 'factory settings' having been established hundreds or even thousands of years ago. In those eras, social roles and divisions were very clearly defined, and most public positions were held by men. Consequently, language set 'male' as the 'default option' for describing human professions and identities.
'He' not only represents males but is also often used to refer to a person of unspecified gender. It's as if, in the system, person = he. 'She,' on the other hand, became 'Option B,' requiring special explicit mention.
This is like those scissors designed only for right-handers; it's not intentionally meant to exclude anyone, but it certainly makes the other half of the population feel 'non-standard' and 'in need of additional clarification.'
Language Doesn't Just Describe the World; It Shapes It
You might say, "This is just a habit; is it really that important?"
It's very important. Because language isn't just a tool for communication; it also subtly shapes our way of thinking. The words we use determine what kind of world we are able to perceive.
If, in our language, words representing strength, wisdom, and authority are always defaulted to the male gender, then subconsciously, we will associate these qualities more with men. Women's achievements and very presence then become obscured, even 'invisible.'
This is like an old city map that only depicts a few main roads from decades ago. Using this map, you can certainly find your way, but all the newly built communities, metro lines, and charming alleyways remain unseen.
Our world has changed significantly. Women, just like men, are excelling in all walks of life. Our social identities are also far more diverse and nuanced than just 'he' or 'she.' Yet, our language, this 'map,' has been updating far too slowly.
Give Our Language a 'System Upgrade'
So, what should we do? We can't just discard language and start over, can we?
Of course not. We don't need to discard the entire city; we just need to update that old map.
Just as we started designing special scissors and tools for left-handers, we can also consciously 'upgrade' our linguistic tools to make them more precise, more inclusive, and truly reflect the real world.
1. Make the 'invisible' visible. When you know the other person is a woman, feel free to use terms like 'actress,' 'female boss,' or 'female founder.' This isn't about singling them out; it's about acknowledging and celebrating the fact that yes, their presence is strong in these important roles.
2. Use more inclusive expressions. When uncertain of gender, or when you want to include everyone, use more neutral terms. For example, use 'everyone' or 'all' instead of 'gentlemen,' and terms like 'firefighter' or 'healthcare worker' to describe a group.
This isn't about 'political correctness'; it's about 'precision.' It's like upgrading a phone's operating system from iOS 10 to iOS 17 – not to follow trends, but to make it more user-friendly, more powerful, and capable of keeping up with the current era.
Every time we choose a more inclusive word, we are adding new details to our thinking 'map,' making those previously overlooked areas clearly visible.
Bridging Languages, Envisioning a Bigger World
When we turn our gaze outwards to the world, this linguistic 'upgrade' becomes even more crucial.
When communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds, we are not just translating words, but also crossing the boundaries of thought. You will discover that different languages contain vastly different 'default settings' and ways of viewing the world.
To truly understand each other, word-for-word translation is simply not enough. We need a tool that can genuinely understand culture and context, helping us bridge divides and forge authentic connections.
This is precisely the purpose of a tool like Intent. It's not just a chat app; its AI translation feature can help you understand the subtle cultural nuances behind language, enabling you to have meaningful and empathetic conversations with anyone in any corner of the world.
Ultimately, whether it's upgrading our own mother tongue or reaching across borders to understand another language, we are pursuing the same fundamental goal:
To perceive a more authentic and complete world through a broader perspective.
And all of this can begin by changing just one word we use.