Combating Gendered Language: Lessons from the French Diaspora
Location
Kennedy Union Torch Lounge
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
11-3-2024 2:45 PM
Description
In my French classes, gender is ingrained in the language. However, that does not mean that we must essentially gender the language when using French, and I argue that although English is not an explicitly gendered language, the connotation of English words invokes the presence of gender. I specifically focus on the feminization of professions in the French language, but the segue into this discussion begins with gendered language in English. This topic will explore the deconstruction of the English language in terms of gender connotation and encourage instructors and students not only to use inclusive neologisms, but to strip the current gender connotations of existing words, specifically professions. I plan to share ways in which the Francophone diaspora is tackling these issues and how the English diaspora can learn from these strategies and apply them to an the ostensibly nongendered English language.
Combating Gendered Language: Lessons from the French Diaspora
Kennedy Union Torch Lounge
In my French classes, gender is ingrained in the language. However, that does not mean that we must essentially gender the language when using French, and I argue that although English is not an explicitly gendered language, the connotation of English words invokes the presence of gender. I specifically focus on the feminization of professions in the French language, but the segue into this discussion begins with gendered language in English. This topic will explore the deconstruction of the English language in terms of gender connotation and encourage instructors and students not only to use inclusive neologisms, but to strip the current gender connotations of existing words, specifically professions. I plan to share ways in which the Francophone diaspora is tackling these issues and how the English diaspora can learn from these strategies and apply them to an the ostensibly nongendered English language.
