How different languages are accommodating non-binary people
Synopsis
Around a third of the world’s languages use grammatical gender, complicating the accommodation of non-binary individuals who do not identify as male or female.
Synopsis
Activists in Spanish-speaking communities have introduced the ending “-e” on nouns and adjectives to create gender-neutral language. In French and German, grammatical gender complicates inclusivity for non-binary individuals. Swedish speakers use the pronoun “hen” as a middle ground between “han” (he) and “hon” (she). Mandarin simplifies gender with “tā,” though writing presents challenges. Non-binary people continue to seek recognition in languages dominated by gendered structures.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See how Spanish activists innovate with gender-neutral language.
- Find out what 'hen' means in Swedish culture.
- Meet the challenges of Mandarin in accommodating non-binary people.
Did You Know
- Around a third of the world’s languages use grammatical gender.
- Spanish activists created the pronoun 'elle' for non-binary individuals.
- Swedish is adopting the pronoun 'hen' as a neutral option.
- Mandarin has one word, 'tā', for both he and she.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What pronouns are commonly used for non-binary people in English?
In the English-speaking world, 'they' and 'them' are by far the most common pronouns for non-binary people.
How do Spanish activists accommodate non-binary individuals?
Spanish activists have introduced the use of the ending '-e' on nouns and adjectives instead of the usual '-o' for masculine and '-a' for feminine.
What is the non-binary pronoun used in Swedish?
In Swedish, the pronoun 'hen' is gaining popularity as a compromise between 'han' for he and 'hon' for she.
What are people saying?
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