Bidding goodbye to antiquated legalese

It’s time to bid adieu to the antiquated archaisms that have long been entrenched in the corridors of justice.

- ANWESHA SANTRA

In a landmark move towards fostering gender equality and dismantling deep-seated stereotypes, the Supreme Court of India has taken a decisive step by taking a linguistic leap forward and releasing a handbook that aims to eliminate archaic and discriminatory language from its proceedings.

Gone are the days when a ‘career woman’ or a ‘fallen woman’ conjured visions of melodramatic narratives, and a ‘faithful, dutiful or obedient wife’ sounded like an instruction manual for marital conformity. The handbook suggests to simply use the term ‘woman’ in place of the abovementioned archaic and unjust terms. The legal fraternity must acknowledge that language has power, and the lexicon of law should be a reflection of societal progress rather than a stagnant pool of stereotypes.

The Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes is hence a timely intervention, effectively brushing a linguistic mop on terms that have no place in today’s world. While some might argue that these terms are mere semantics, it’s essential to recognise that language shapes perceptions, beliefs and attitudes. Shakespearean English might charm literary enthusiasts, but it is not how we communicate today. Similarly, these gender unjust terms belong to a bygone era of thinking. By shedding light on words that perpetuate gender inequality, the apex court has set a precedent for a language evolution that mirrors the broader evolution of social norms.