Ienjoy skating on thin ice. Editor Helen’s leader in the September issue raised the topic of gender sensitive nautical terminology, which to some might be a subject ripe for discussion. In fact, it has already generated – and continues to generate – plenty of feedback, and here’s how I started out thinking about it. I always consider first principles if at all possible. In many contexts the word ‘man’ – at least for me – doesn’t mean a male, but rather the species. The species that walks on two legs, wears clothing and is a sentient being, willing to readily engage in measured, civilised arguments. And here it seems we have one, which looks set to be a long running debate.
My premise was that when Darwin wrote The Ascent of Man I don’t think, even in Victorian times, he was referring to only the male of the species. Rights of Man by Thomas Paine is another example that immediately came to mind. And that is how the conversation on this topic began with my 20-year-old daughter, fresh out of her Day Skipper’s Practical course in the Solent. She then proceeded to tie me up in a macrame of historical facts and logic – ametaphorical Ashley’s Book of Knots. I admit I was blown out of the water and a full retraction of my first premise should be noted by all readers.
It is true, however, that ‘man’ found its way into the nautical lexicon because the male of the species did the sailing, right back to the time of Ulysses. If we can accept that ‘man,’ in our modern and enlightened times is now gender neutral, at least in this nautical context, it solves the problem – if in f act there is one.
Having said all this, I admit it might be useful to distinguish a ‘yachtsman’ from a ‘yachtswoman’ in some, but not necessarily all, circumstances, though universally adopted by female sailors who do not want to be considered anything other than simply sailors or crew.
The all-encompassing solution of ‘yachtsperson’ sounds awkward to my ear and just does not cut it. But any distinction between male and female should end there when actually on board lest we engage in verbal gymnastics that can actually impact safety, if not operational issues.
The most obvious is the man overboard scenario. I can’t see how that one can be squared and changed. It is an international standard. And how would you change ‘manning?’ I’m not sure. Imagining some attempts at a change of phrase leads to: “We need more ‘person power’, give us a hand!”, “Tell the bow person to come aft,�
