Over the past few years, there’s been general attention to shifting to gender-neutral language, especially within professional and educational contexts.

While the global movement advocating for gender inclusivity in language appears to be growing, its implementation involves several challenges. For most languages, it means revisiting traditional grammar and linguistic standards.

As the most used language on the internet, English is considered a pioneer of gender-neutral language. The move to this neutrality is relatively easy, as English syntax lacks gendered verbs and adjectives, and most nouns are also genderless.

However, many non-English languages have more difficulties in implementing gender neutrality, as they apply grammatical gender to most of their words. 

Despite such difficulties, speakers of several non-English languages have adopted various strategies to address gender neutrality. In Spanish, symbols such as “@” or “x” denote linguistic inclusivity.

Similarly, French uses a dot between the consonant and the vowel in some gendered word endings as a gender-neutral alternative. Additionally, in 2021, the latest edition of the French dictionary added the gender-neutral pronoun ‘iel’. 

Among the most challenging languages in which to incorporate gender neutrality, German has applied underscores (_) or asterisk (*) as a way to include all genders in a written phrase. 

As a general factor, the use of neutral forms is becoming more common. Now, nouns such as “people” or “humankind” are preferred for general speeches. 

Nevertheless, these alternatives and new formulations are facing some resistance. Politicians or institutions, like the Christian Social Union (CSU), a conservative German political party in Bavaria, refuse to modify the official academic language because they claim gender-neutral language is not clear and understandable enough.

Some argue that there’s always been a common agreement on using the generic masculine to refer to all genders. The argument is that this guideline has always been more than enough, as using a masculine term doesn’t always necessarily imply a reference to only men.

Other critics also claim that text filled with special characters looks ugly and unprofessional. 

The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), which regulates and documents changes in the Spanish language, rejected the introduction of inclusive language sharing on X that “what has commonly been called ‘inclusive language’ is a set of strategies that aim to avoid the generic use of the masculine gram, a mechanism firmly established in the language and which does not involve any sexist discrimination whatsoever”. 

Despite the resistance, neutral language matters. Its implementation proves inclusiveness, diversity and respect towards all genders, including non-binary people. 

Authors and companies can provide immense help to the cause by implementing gender-neutral language on a daily basis and by giving visibility through their businesses.

There are plenty of benefits that come from implementing gender-neutral language, both in the workplace and in client relations.

In the workplace, it provides a safer, fairer and more inclusive environment among coworkers. For example, using gender-neutral job titles makes it easier for candidates to view themselves in a role.

In terms of customer relations, addressing clients using gender-neutral language can make a significant difference in shaping users’ perceptions. It signals that an organisation values inclusivity and is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for all, regardless of gender.

Normalising and implementing gender-neutral language into everyday use, especially when it comes to formal environments, contributes to fighting for the cause of inclusivity and helps build a more equal society. 

By making gender-neutral language part of everyday communication, the queer community keeps on gaining visibility in many areas where it is still discriminated against.