The notion of gender is normal for many languages like German, French, or Spanish. While it is essential to these languages that one declines words in different word classes to indicate gender, there are also non-traditional approaches to this.
In Spanish, for example, it’s becoming more and more common, on the Internet, to use the @-sign for word endings, in order to include both genders. If one wanted to avoid writing Latina/Latino, one could simply write Latin@.
In Germany, a research group from the Humboldt-Universität in Berlin developed the terms Professx and Studentx to avoid gendering the words Professor/Professorin and Student/Studentin. The letter x plays the role of a wild card here – similar to the @-sign in Spanish. The professor that led the research group had a personal interest in this: they do not identify as either female or male. This is still something that is considered ‘abnormal’ in most societies.
Over the years, many things have improved for people that were once, or still are, not considered ‘normal’. Many minority groups can now enjoy more privileges that white, heterosexual, and cisgender people have always had. Legal rights have changed a lot over the last years. For example, it is now possible for trans* people to legally change their gender/sex. Their situation is not perfect yet but it is improving, at least.
First of all, however, the necessary terms, such as ‘sex’ and ‘gender’, have to be defined. Also, the Genderbread Person by Sam Killerman will be presented to show a different, non-traditional, more detailed approach that deals with the various aspects of ‘gender’.
After that, the linguistic part of this paper will begin. ‘The Pronouns of Power and Solidarity’ by Roger Brown and Albert Gilman will be illustrated, and Mx will be adapted to it. Lastly, the survey on the use of Mx, conducted by the author, will be presented. The purpose of it was to find out what people think of the concept of ‘Mx’ and how known it is, as there is little to no research on this topic.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Basic terminology
- 2.1. Terms of address
- 2.2. (Trans)gender
- 2.2.1. Common terms
- 2.2.2. The Genderbread Person v2.0
- 3. Pronouns of Power and Solidarity
- 3.1. Brown/Gilman
- 3.2. Mx
- 4. Survey "Use of gender-neutral honorifics"
- 4.1. Methods
- 4.2. Results
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the use of the gender-neutral honorific "Mx" as a response to societal norms and the limitations of traditional gendered address terms. It investigates the prevalence and acceptance of "Mx" within a specific context, analyzing its linguistic implications and broader societal significance.
- The evolution and understanding of gender and sex terminology.
- Analysis of existing address theories and the limitations of traditional honorifics.
- Examination of "Mx" within the framework of Brown and Gilman's theory of pronouns of power and solidarity.
- Presentation and interpretation of survey results on public awareness and acceptance of "Mx."
- Discussion of the broader societal context of inclusivity and non-binary gender identities.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the evolving understanding of gender and the increasing need for gender-neutral language. It contrasts traditional gendered language systems in various languages with newer, more inclusive approaches, such as the use of the @ symbol in Spanish and the "x" in German neologisms like "Professx." The chapter highlights the historical and ongoing discrimination faced by transgender and non-binary individuals, using examples such as the legal barriers and societal prejudices they encounter. It introduces the gender-neutral honorific "Mx" as the central focus of the paper, outlining the subsequent chapters' objectives, namely, to define key terms, analyze linguistic theories, and present survey findings regarding "Mx"'s usage and acceptance.
2. Basic terminology: This chapter establishes the fundamental terminology needed to understand the paper's central theme. It begins by defining key terms from address theory, clarifying the distinctions between "sex" and "gender" as outlined by the World Health Organization. The chapter discusses various aspects of address theory, defining terms of address and highlighting how societal norms and values shape address systems, noting the absence of "Mx" in earlier linguistic analyses. The chapter lays groundwork for understanding the complexities surrounding gender identity, acknowledging the broad spectrum of gender identities that exist and highlighting the need for inclusive language.
Keywords
Gender-neutral honorifics, Mx, transgender, non-binary, address theory, pronouns, inclusivity, societal norms, linguistic analysis, survey research.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Gender-Neutral Honorifics
What is the main topic of this paper?
The paper focuses on the use of the gender-neutral honorific "Mx" as a response to societal norms and limitations of traditional gendered address terms. It investigates the prevalence and acceptance of "Mx," analyzing its linguistic implications and broader societal significance.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the evolution and understanding of gender and sex terminology; analyzes existing address theories and the limitations of traditional honorifics; examines "Mx" within the framework of Brown and Gilman's theory of pronouns of power and solidarity; presents and interprets survey results on public awareness and acceptance of "Mx"; and discusses the broader societal context of inclusivity and non-binary gender identities.
What terminology is defined in the paper?
The paper defines key terms from address theory, clarifying the distinctions between "sex" and "gender." It also discusses various terms related to gender identity, including common terms related to transgender and non-binary identities.
What theories are discussed in the paper?
The paper discusses Brown and Gilman's theory of pronouns of power and solidarity, applying it to the analysis of "Mx" and its implications. It also addresses the limitations of traditional address theories in relation to gender-neutral language.
What methodology is used in the paper?
The paper includes a survey ("Use of gender-neutral honorifics") to gather data on public awareness and acceptance of "Mx." The methods and results of this survey are presented and analyzed.
What are the main findings of the survey?
The paper presents and interprets the results of a survey on the use and acceptance of "Mx," providing insights into public awareness and attitudes toward gender-neutral honorifics. Specific details of the findings are contained within the paper.
What is the conclusion of the paper?
The conclusion summarizes the findings and discussions regarding the use and acceptance of "Mx" as a gender-neutral honorific. It likely highlights the implications for inclusive language and broader societal discussions about gender identity.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Gender-neutral honorifics, Mx, transgender, non-binary, address theory, pronouns, inclusivity, societal norms, linguistic analysis, survey research.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction, a chapter on basic terminology (including terms of address and (trans)gender), a chapter on pronouns of power and solidarity focusing on Brown/Gilman and Mx, a chapter presenting a survey on the use of gender-neutral honorifics, and a concluding chapter.
What languages are referenced in the paper?
The paper references examples from various languages, including Spanish (use of the @ symbol) and German (use of "x" in neologisms like "Professx"), to illustrate different approaches to gender-neutral language.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Neumeier (Author), 2015, Mr, Mrs, Ms... Or Mx? A New Approach to Honorifics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/300936
