A guide to how gender-neutral language is developing around the world

 | 
12/15/2019

What pronoun do you use to identify yourself? He? She? They? Something altogether different? It’s a question asked increasingly often as acceptance of a spectrum of gender and sexual identities grows. Some languages, like Chinese and Persian, don’t assign nouns a gender or already have a gender-neutral form for people built in. But in languages whose grammar is traditionally based on exclusively male or female options, the answer to this question can still require an explanation. So how do you talk about being queer or non-binary or gender nonconforming in grammatically gendered languages? In many ways, in fact. In recent years, LGBTQ activists and linguists around the world have championed more inclusive language, both by creating entirely new non-binary terms and by retooling already existing words and grammar constructions.

Regions:

Share this:

Latest Global News

Added on: 11/19/2024
11/19/2024
On September 24, Thailand celebrated the landmark passage of a marriage equality bill. The legislation, which goes into effect in January 2025, will solidify …
Added on: 11/19/2024
11/18/2024
Last month saw the New South Wales Parliament pass the Equality Bill, introduced by Independent MP Alex Greenwich. Star Observer interviewed Greenwich and Rainbow …
Added on: 11/19/2024
11/18/2024
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) unveiled a resolution on Monday that would ban transgender women from using female bathrooms inside the Capitol — drawing immediate …

Explore LGBTQ+ Issues

Other News from

Added on: 11/17/2024
A record number of asylum seekers claiming to be gay have been allowed to stay in Britain under ECHR rules. The number of asylum …
Added on: 11/16/2024
FIFA has announced support for the organization that oversees tournaments for LGBTQ-inclusive soccer clubs from around the world, including financial assistance. The International Gay …
Added on: 11/15/2024
Cape Town, South Africa – The first-ever International Pride Awards today honoured five remarkable advocates for LGBTIQ+ equality, celebrating them during a ceremony hosted …