中文摘要：在许多欧洲语言中，名词在语法上有着性别的区分。所有名词都可以被区分为阳性、阴性或中性名词。本文通过研读语言学中性别话题相关的文献，旨在研究现代英语的性别区分以及性别标记系统。研究发现，在现代英语中，英语名词在语法上已经失去了性别区分，但根据自然性别，英语名词从语义上，仍然可以分为阴性、阳性和中性。学习英语名词的性别区分不仅对语言学学习有重大作用，也有助于反映男女的社会地位以及性别歧视。意识并理解英语名词的阴阳性具有重要意义。

关键词： 性别；英语名词；介词；阴性；阳性   

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction . .1

  1.1 Background1

  1.2 Objectives and Significance of the Research.2

  1.3 Methodology of the Research and the Structure of the Thesis2

2. Gender of English Nouns  2

2.1 Process of the Gender System.2

2.2 Masculine Nouns .3

   2.2.1 Definition of Masculine Nouns 3

     2.2.2 Examples of Masculine Nouns.4

  2.3 Feminine Nouns .4 

     2.3.1 Definition of Feminine Nouns4

     2.3.2 Examples of Feminine Nouns.4

2.4 Neutral Nouns  .5

     2.4.1 Definition of Neutral Nouns . 5

     2.4.2 Examples of Neutral Nouns  5

3. Gender Marking System.5

3.1 Affixation . 6

3.2 Compounding 6

3.3 The Forming of Free Phrases7

4. Gender of Pronouns 7

4.1 Semantic Coordination7 

4.2 Some Exceptional Cases.7

4.2.1 Representing Either Man or Woman.7

4.2.2 Representing a "Baby" or a "Child"8

4.2.3 Representing a "Big Animal".8

4.2.4 Representing a "Country".8

4.2.5 Representing a "Big Ship".9

4.2.6 Some Personified Nouns 9

4.3 Replacement of Traditional Pronouns .9 

5. Conclusion 10 

References 12