THE MARK OF THE SECRETARY

To the Editors of the Crimson:

The letter published in the Crimson (Nov. 16) by seventeen members of the Department of Linguisties ends with a certain irony. While these linguists assure us that the English language is not unduly prejudiced against women, we note with interest that apparently only three of the seventeen signers are women, the last of whom is identified laconically as "Secretary". What an apt symbol for the subjection of women in our society! Whatever the linguistic value of 'marked' and 'unmarked' members of linguistic pairs, is it not curious that common usage often marks 'Secretary' as female and last in line? Laura Mavis Gordon   Teaching Fellow in Slavic   Languages and Literatures   Assistant Tutor in Eliot House   Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.   Teaching Fellow in General Education   Tutor in Eliot House