Gender Neutrality in Language: From Theory to Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53286/arts.v7i2.2554Keywords:
Gendered Language, Feminist Movement, Linguistic Bias, Inclusive Language, Masculine and FeminineAbstract
This study explores gender neutrality in language through theoretical perspectives and practical implementations, with particular emphasis on how feminist movements shape linguistic, morphological, and lexical structures in Arabic and English. Drawing on a comparative and contrastive methodology, it examines how the push for gender neutrality drives noticeable linguistic changes—especially in English—and contrasts these with the varied responses in Arabic, where some advocate for linguistic reform while others champion the retention of heritage-based structures. Organized into key sections covering conceptual foundations, feminist-influenced linguistic shifts, Arabic’s structural challenges, global linguistic comparisons, and final findings and recommendations, the study reveals that English demonstrates relatively more flexibility in adopting gender-neutral pronouns and vocabulary. In contrast, Arabic faces significant complexities arising from its rigorous grammatical system, which relies on explicit gender distinctions. By addressing the cultural and social factors that influence acceptance of gender-neutral language, the research ultimately calls for the development of inclusive, gender-equitable language guidelines that uphold Arabic’s identity and longstanding grammatical rules.
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