Explorer

Election Results 2024

(Source: ECI/ABP News/ABP Majha)

Cambridge Dictionary Adds New Definition To Words 'Man', 'Woman' To Now Include Trans People

While the primary definition remains the same, the words 'man' and 'woman' also include transperson in the definitions.

New Delhi: The Cambridge dictionary has added new supplementary definitions for both ‘man’ and ‘woman’ to include anyone that identifies as a gender other than their biological sex. 

The Cambridge primary definition for a woman remains unchanged – an adult female human being – it now also reads “An adult who lives and identifies as female though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth”. 

Included in the definition are two examples referencing transgender people. One example reads, “She was the first trans woman elected to a national office.” Another example using the updated definition reads, “Mary is a woman who was assigned male at birth.”

Similarly, the definition of a man has been “an adult male human being” and “the human race”, it now includes the definition: “an adult who lives and identifies as male though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth”.

Along with it are two examples: “Mark is a trans man (= a man who was said to be female when they were born)” and “their doctor encouraged them to live as a man for a while before undergoing surgical transition”.

ALSO READ: Faridabad Cop Swallows Money After Being Caught Red-Handed Taking Bribe. Watch Video

These changes were made in October, however, this came to the notice after The Telegraph first reported it on Tuesday. 

A Cambridge spokesperson told the Telegraph that the editors carefully studied the usage patterns of the word woman and concluded that the definition is one that learners of English should be aware of to support their understanding of how the language is used.

“They are compiled by analysing a large corpus of English texts (over two billion words in total) taken from all areas of writing and publishing, which allows us to see exactly how language is used. 

“We regularly update our dictionary to reflect changes in how English is used, based on analysis of data from this corpus”, the spokesperson told the Telegraph. 

Dr Jane Hamlin, the president of the Beaumont Society, a charity that supports transgender and non-binary people, responded to the change in the Cambridge diction and said, “This is such good news. There has been so much misinformation and rubbish written about definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ lately, but these definitions are clear, concise and correct. Congratulations to the Cambridge Dictionary team!”

However, Cambridge isn’t the first to change the definitions, in July, Merriam-Webster added a supplementary definition of “female” that defines the term as “having a gender identity that is the opposite of male”.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Bihar Bypoll Results: It's An NDA Clean Sweep As It Retains One And Wrests 3 Seats From RJD
It's An NDA Clean Sweep In Bihar As It Retains One And Wrests 3 Seats From RJD
Congress, Allies Draw A Blank In Northeast Bypolls As BJP-Led NEDA Scores Big
Congress, Allies Draw A Blank In Northeast Bypolls As BJP-Led NEDA Scores Big
Shinde The True Sena Heir? What Maharashtra Elections Mean For 2 Shiv Sena Factions 
Shinde The True Sena Heir? What Maharashtra Elections Mean For 2 Shiv Sena Factions 
Bengal Bypoll Results: Despite RG Kar Protests, Mamata's TMC Leading In All 6 Seats, Set For Clean Sweep
Bengal Bypoll Results: Despite RG Kar Protests, Mamata's TMC Leading In All 6 Seats, Set For Clean Sweep
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Assembly Election Results: PM Modi gives congratulations on the historic victory in Maharashtra | ABPMaharashtra Election Result: Devendra Fadnavis's wife spoke on Mahayuti's victory, what did she say about the CM post?Assembly Election Results: 'I got the love of the people, I am very happy..' Priyanka Gandhi on victoryAssembly Election Results: Devendra Fadnavis' first PC after victory creates stir in NDA | ABP News

Photo Gallery

Embed widget