Localising for the German market: A case for gender-inclusive language
AJTJun 24, 2022
Germany: Bavaria Bans Use of Gender-Sensitive Language
The Facts
The German state of Bavaria on Tuesday banned the use of gender-sensitive language in public institutions, including schools and universities. However, it's unclear whether employees such as teachers would be punished for breaking the regulation.
German uses gendered words, such as Patient denoting a male, while Patientin represents a female. Though the plural of a male patient is Patienten, and for female, it's Patientinnen, in common language, the plural for both is PatientInnen, with a capital i.
The Spin
Narrative A
The default masculine form of German grammar has long excluded women, and although society has begun to include female nouns, this cultural push has also excluded non-binary people. Non-Germans, particularly English speakers, often don't have to worry about this linguistic issue. Germany wants to have its own inclusive system, which is why its linguists, teachers, and other leaders are developing new and easily adoptable vocabulary.
Narrative B
The gender inclusivity movement has gone from forced pronouns when addressing someone to now tearing the entire German language apart. Not only are these activists mandating an overhaul of the written language, but by doing so, they're making the Romance languages of Europe confusing and choppy to the point where they can't even be spoken. In the name of inclusivity, the politicians have ironically pushed Germans away from the liberals and towards the conservative AfD party.