Julia Gillard unwittingly contributes to dictionary update
Posted by Filed under English
Editors of the Macquarie have reacted to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s recent use of the word “misogyny” in a parliamentary speech, by suggesting that the meaning of the word will be updated in the next edition of the Australian English dictionary.
The Macquarie dictionary previously listed the word as meaning “hatred of women,” but will now be expanded to encompass a second definition.
Dictionary edition Sue Butler told ABC Radio:
“We decided that we had the basic definition, hatred of women, but that’s not how misogyny has been used for about the last 20, 30 years, particularly in feminist language. We need to add a second definition, which is slightly stronger than sexist but heading in that direction towards entrenched prejudice rather than a visceral hatred.”
The update will appear in the online dictionary later this year, and in the printed version next year.
Language Trainers is currently offering English lessons in Cairns and Noosa.