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LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An Italian dictionary has revised its “sexist” definition of a woman - dropping negative words including “whore” and “bitch” from the list of synonyms following a high-profile campaign for change.
Dozens of public figures, from writers to lawmakers, signed an open letter to the Treccani online dictionary in March demanding action to remove offensive terms - and pointing out that the synonyms used for “man” were largely positive.
Among the words that have been scrapped from the entry defining a woman are “puttana” (whore) and “cagna” (bitch).
Maria Beatrice Giovanardi, an activist who led the campaign, said Treccani had also promised a wider review to ensure women are shown playing an equal role in society in definitions and to describe relationships using LGBT+-inclusive language.
MILAN, March 6 Public figures from writers to lawmakers have launched a campaign ahead of International Women’s Day to change a leading Italian dictionary’s “sexist” definition of a woman, which currently includes 30 different words for a sex worker. About 100 high-profile Italians.
By Umberto Bacchi
MILAN, March 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Public figures from writers to lawmakers have launched a campaign ahead of International Women s Day to change a leading Italian dictionary s sexist definition of a woman, which currently includes 30 different words for a sex worker.
About 100 high-profile Italians signed a letter demanding changes to the Treccani online dictionary after a similar campaign forced the Oxford English dictionary to alter its definition last year.
They argue that terms with negative connotations like puttana (whore) and cagna (bitch) should be dropped from a list of synonyms - and point out that the synonyms listed under man are broadly positive.
Not your bitch: Campaign against sexist dictionaries moves to Italy
By Reuters
By Umberto Bacchi
Milan - Public figures from writers to lawmakers launched a campaign on Friday to change a leading Italian dictionary s sexist definition of a woman, which currently includes 30 different words for a sex worker.
About 100 high-profile Italians signed a letter demanding changes to the Treccani online dictionary after a similar campaign forced the Oxford English dictionary to alter its definition last year.
They argue that terms with negative connotations like puttana (whore) and cagna (bitch) should be dropped from a list of synonyms - and point out that the synonyms listed under man are broadly positive.