Falco Pfalzgraf - Böcker

line-height: 120%;">This edited book explores the ambiguity and overlap in the usage of terms such as “gender-inclusive”, “gender-fair”, and “gender-neutral” across various disciplines and languages, aiming to achieve conceptual clarity and advocate for standardisation.

The (potential) use of gender-inclusive language is being discussed controversially in the public sphere. Opinions on it have increasingly been voiced by individuals as well as organisations. These include state institutions, private associations, subject specialists such as linguists, and private individuals / laypeople. Views of and attitudes towards the use of gender-inclusive language cover a broad spectrum between extreme ends, and even subject specialists hold conflicting views. Research on gender-inclusive language is very much a current trend in linguistics, including the so-called ‘genderless’ languages. However, the focus is mostly on structural issues, while sociolinguistic research on attitudes towards the use of gender-inclusive language is mostly missing. Some scattered work in this area has been published, but a more thorough understanding and conceptualisation of attitudes is still needed. Furthermore, a multilingual, comparative perspective is still missing. This edited volume will address these shortcomings.

This book provides a comprehensive and comparative overview of current research and desiderata related to the use of gender-inclusive language across 14 major European languages. It also addresses minority languages and foreign language teaching. Methodologically, the book innovatively bridges Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Multilingual Communication, Translation Studies, Modern Languages, and Psychology. It has the potential to become essential reading for researchers and educators in Linguistics, Translation, Modern Language Studies, and Applied Linguistics, as well as for policymakers and language professionals navigating the challenges of inclusive communication in a multilingual world.