Authors: Blaise Ken Jay Bugahod1, Kenny Rey O. Belano, Rovy M. Banguis1
1English Department, College of Arts and Sciences, MSU Buug Campus, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines
Email: rovy.banguis@msubuug.edu.ph
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the use of gender-sensitive language in the persuasive essays among the senior BAELS students. It further
aimed to determine how those languages are used in the sentence or phrase; and if the essays serve as representation of students’ awareness on gender-equality. The data were gathered from the twenty-one (21) persuasive essays of fourth year BAELS students in Mindanao State University- Buug
Campus. With the use of a descriptive qualitative research and with the aid of the framework, the study arrived with the following findings. The study
showed that majority or the most frequently used gender-sensitive language is students/learners and least frequently use are: police officer, business
person, sales associate, fire fighter, flight attendant; and school staff. The use of gender-sensitive languages in the sentence or phrase as extracted
from the essays of the respondents are gender-neutral nouns, gender -neutral pronouns; and job titles. The study found out that the said students were
aware of gender-sensitive languages based on their frequency of usage of such languages. Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that
fourth year BAELS students are using gender-sensitive languages in writing essays; this can be seen through their usage of gender-neutral nouns,
gender-neutral pronouns and job titles; and they are aware of gender equality because students are seeking for neutrality and equality in all aspect.
Hence, it is recommended that future researchers may conduct comparative studies considering other participants who don’t have language and gender subject and further investigate teachers and students’ awareness on gender sensitive language
Keywords: gender-sensitive language, persuasive essays, gender-neutral pronouns