Terministic Screens

1. How does Keough’s article define “terministic screen”?

Keough defines terministic screen as, “directs the attention of the audience along a certain line of thought. Consequently, a terministic screen is a definition of reality” (Keough 3). This can also mean that it tricks the reader into believing something that is not real. For example, in fiction books, the writer tries to convince the reader the events are real instead of just in a book.

2. What is the relationship between ‘sexist language’ and ‘terministic screen’? How does the notion of “terministic screen” explain the use of sexist language (historically)?

The relationship between a terministic screen and sexist language is that, “sexist language causes, promotes, and perpetuates sex role stereotypes” (Keough 6). This can best be explained through examples such as most documents and sayings using “man” instead of “woman”. This teaches that men are more dominate in society because women are not thought of as important. Historically, the perception of men in society is greater than that of a woman. The proper words to described women are “woman”, “women”, and “female”. Each of these words contains a male suffix: “woman”, “women”, and “female” (Keough 7). Males are more dominate in society due to these terms. To further this, the Bill of Rights uses “him” instead of a more gender-neutral term; it uses phrases such as “against him” or “in his favor”.

Works Cited
Keough, Colleen. Sexist Language: Terministic Screens and Transcendence. ERIC, 1982, pp. 3-7, Sexist Language: Terministic Screens and Transcendence.