Gender neutral language in Dutch: Difference between revisions
→Use of gender and genus in official documents
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== Use of gender and genus in official documents == | == Use of gender and genus in official documents and education == | ||
In schools, teachers are | In schools, teachers are not allowed to confirm neo-genderneutral language as valid in CE (Centraal Examen) exams, since it is viewed as incorrect by the State. They can, however, still allow students to make use of this type of language, if at SE (School Examen) exams. This is a choice of their own, and are still legally not required to check it in favor of neo-genderneutral language. | ||
In biology, the Dutch refer to 'man' and 'vrouw' (aka 'geslacht'; genus) to specifically state XY or XX chromosomes. Although genus is built out of ten different components (like facial hair, body structure, etc. NB: 11 when one counts gender), the State refers specifically to the chromosomes as an indicator for genus. | In biology, the Dutch refer to 'man' and 'vrouw' (aka 'geslacht'; genus) to specifically state XY or XX chromosomes. Although genus is built out of ten different components (like facial hair, body structure, etc. NB: 11 when one counts gender), the State refers specifically to the chromosomes as an indicator for genus. This is similar to the English "use of "male" and "female". When talking about animals, we tend to use diminutives, like "mannetje" and "vrouwtje", just like the Dutch commonly differentiate animals on in different contexts (e.g. through words like "bek", "ras", "paren" and "poot"). NB: Using a diminutive for your partner is therefore also seen as something playful rather than seriousness. | ||
On official documents like passports, identification cards (IDs), driver's license and other official documents is the use of gender and genus a bit confusing to anyone. For example, IDs show as options for genus: 'M/V/X'. According to science, genus will never change with our modern-day knowledge, and thus would mean that people with XX will get assigned a 'V', XY will get an 'M' and people with any other natural variations of chromosomes will receive an 'X'. | On official documents like passports, identification cards (IDs), driver's license and other official documents is the use of gender and genus a bit confusing to anyone. For example, IDs show as options for genus: 'M/V/X'. According to science, genus will never change with our modern-day knowledge, and thus would mean that people with XX will get assigned a 'V', XY will get an 'M' and people with any other natural variations of chromosomes will receive an 'X'. | ||
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''3 alles wat bij het man- of vrouw-zijn hoort, alle seksegebonden eigenschappen''"<ref>https://www.vandale.nl/gratis-woordenboek/nederlands/betekenis/gender</ref> | ''3 alles wat bij het man- of vrouw-zijn hoort, alle seksegebonden eigenschappen''"<ref>https://www.vandale.nl/gratis-woordenboek/nederlands/betekenis/gender</ref> | ||
This may lead to confusions, since gender and genus used to be synonyms of one another (see option 1). In modern-day society, when we refer to gender, we use only option 2 to describe this. Option 3 is only the description of genus. | This may lead to confusions, since gender and genus used to be synonyms of one another (see option 1). In modern-day society, when we refer to gender, we use only option 2 to describe this. Option 3 is only the description of genus. | ||
For laws focussing on people with certain genus organs, the words "man" and "vrouw" tend to be left out. For example "zwangerschapsverlof" (pregnancy permit) instead of "moederschapsverlof" (mother permit) and "ouderschapsverlof" for the non-pregnant partner. For rulings on abortion, the focus lies more on the uterus than someone's genus or gender identity. Also here, the word "vrouw" tend to be left out, though not completely removed. | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||