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Gender neutral language in Dutch: Difference between revisions
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→Professions/Roles: Changed 'Huisbaar' to 'Huisbaas' and added explanation text. Huisbaar is a valid word to use, but the word Huisbaas is far more common to the point that ive heard Huisbaar maybe 2 times in my entire life.
m (→Professions/Roles: Changed 'Huisbaar' to 'Huisbaas' and added explanation text. Huisbaar is a valid word to use, but the word Huisbaas is far more common to the point that ive heard Huisbaar maybe 2 times in my entire life.) |
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The use of genderneutral pronouns is also increasingly adopted by certain progessive cis people, to increase usage with the goal of normalizing these words. Others could for example choose to use neutral pronouns on just anyone, sometimes with the exception of people who put pressure on the fact that they want to be called a he or she. This idea is not meant to assume that everyone is genderqueer, but rather to assume that genderneutral pronouns are norm and genderized pronouns are rather something archaic. This process is, however, slow, keeping in mind that genderneutral pronoun options are still not known to all citizens (see #Use of gender and genus in official documents and education). | The use of genderneutral pronouns is also increasingly adopted by certain progessive cis people, to increase usage with the goal of normalizing these words. Others could for example choose to use neutral pronouns on just anyone, sometimes with the exception of people who put pressure on the fact that they want to be called a he or she. This idea is not meant to assume that everyone is genderqueer, but rather to assume that genderneutral pronouns are norm and genderized pronouns are rather something archaic. This process is, however, slow, keeping in mind that genderneutral pronoun options are still not known to all citizens (see #Use of gender and genus in official documents and education). | ||
Arguments for '''hen''' as first person: | |||
-It sounds natural (think about the old pronoun "men") | |||
-Hen is also a synthetic genderneutral pronoun in other Germanic languages, like Swedish and German. | |||
-The traditional use of hen is socially in the process of being replaced with ''hun'', meaning the traditional use is already fading away''.'' | |||
Arguments against '''hen''' as first person: | |||
''-''Hen is traditionally (and still officially) used as accusative form of ''ze.'' | |||
-By those who support the use of hen as accusative of ze, it can be seen as poor language use. | |||
Arguments for '''die''' as first person: | |||
-Die means that or who. | |||
-Die is already used in east-Dutch dialects as a genderneutral pronoun | |||
-Die looks like the Indonesian genderneutral pronoun 'Dia', considering the reflection of descendants of ex-colonies. | |||
-Die also comes close to the Papiamento genderneutral pronoun 'e', (pronounced /ei/), considering the reflection of descendants of ex-colonies. | |||
Arguments against '''die''' as first person: | |||
-Die already has two other official uses: that and who. | |||
-In a few dialect regions, die is used as a male pronoun. | |||
-It does not sound natural, primarily to native Dutch people from the Randstad and from Friesland. | |||
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* '''Monarch.''' Low usage middle-Dutch word that can be used as a neutral alternative to queen/king, means monarch. | * '''Monarch.''' Low usage middle-Dutch word that can be used as a neutral alternative to queen/king, means monarch. | ||
* '''Jullie/Allemaal/Mensen/Vrienden.''' Neutral way of calling multiple people instead of saying girls and/or guys. | * '''Jullie/Allemaal/Mensen/Vrienden.''' Neutral way of calling multiple people instead of saying girls and/or guys. | ||
* '''Huisgenoot''', Neutral word for housemate. | |||
=== Professions/Roles === | === Professions/Roles === | ||
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* '''Barwerker, barpersoon.''' Nonstandard alternatives for barvrouw/barman (barwoman/barman) using the inferred neutral words "-werker" (-worker) and "-persoon" (-person) to make it neutral. | * '''Barwerker, barpersoon.''' Nonstandard alternatives for barvrouw/barman (barwoman/barman) using the inferred neutral words "-werker" (-worker) and "-persoon" (-person) to make it neutral. | ||
* '''Brandweer/Brandweermens, brandweerlieden/brandweermensen.''' Neutral words for brandweervrouw(en)/brandweerman(nen) (firewoman/fireman and firewomen/fireman). | * '''Brandweer/Brandweermens, brandweerlieden/brandweermensen.''' Neutral words for brandweervrouw(en)/brandweerman(nen) (firewoman/fireman and firewomen/fireman). | ||
* ''' | * '''Huisbaas/Hospite.''' Neutral words for hospita/hospes (property owner). In old Dutch the word 'Huisbaar' was used but in recent times the word 'Huisbaar' has been almost entirely replaced with the word 'Huisbaas' which translates to 'Homeboss'. | ||
* '''Kassamedewerker.''' Neutral words for kassière/cassière/kassier (cashier). | * '''Kassamedewerker.''' Neutral words for kassière/cassière/kassier (cashier). | ||
* '''Leerkracht/Leraar.''' Neutral words for lerares/leraar (teacher). | * '''Leerkracht/Leraar.''' Neutral words for lerares/leraar (teacher). | ||
* '''Auteur/Schrijver.''' Neutral words for schrijfster/schrijver (author. | * '''Auteur/Schrijver.''' Neutral words for schrijfster/schrijver (author). | ||
* '''Verloskundige.''' Neutral word for "vroedvrouw" (midwife). | * '''Verloskundige.''' Neutral word for "vroedvrouw" (midwife). | ||
* '''Verpleegkundige.''' Neutral word for verpleegster/verpleger (nurse). | * '''Verpleegkundige.''' Neutral word for verpleegster/zuster/verpleger/broeder (nurse). | ||
To accord ethnic names, it is considered most gender-nonconfirming to stick to the male version, as the female alternative versions are only ~40-50 years old now. However, some ethnic names like "Engelsman" contain the word "man", so it is considerd most genderneutral to take the a new version (Engelse). For all country origins, this works the same. Some countries that end in a vowel, like Aruba or Djibouti, are harder to pronounce when conjugated, so it is also common to say something like: "Ik kom uit... [land van geboorte]" (translated: "I'm from... [country of origin]"). Instead, use the same word for languages, such as: "Ik ben Duits" (translated: I am German). If you come from a country that uses multiple languages, you can most often use the conjugation in some form of '''Country + -s''', like: "Ik ben '''Zuid-Afrika'''''an'''''s'''). This will always be genderneutral as a standard. | '''Alternatives for calling a group of people''' | ||
Somewhat archaically speaking, people could call upon a group of people by saying "jongens" (lit. boys) no matter their gender. | |||
Instead one might say "vrienden" (friends), or in an academic setting "studenten"/"leerlingen" (students). In a business setting; "werknemers"/"collega's" (employees/coworkers) is most appropriate. | |||
Alternative for 'Dames en heren' (ladies and gentlemen): "luisteraars"/"aanwezigen" (listeners/attendees). | |||
== Ethnicity == | |||
To accord ethnic names, it is considered most [[gender-nonconfirming]] to stick to the male version, as the female alternative versions are only ~40-50 years old now. However, some ethnic names like "Engelsman" contain the word "man", so it is considerd most genderneutral to take the a new version (Engelse). For all country origins, this works the same. Some countries that end in a vowel, like Aruba or Djibouti, are harder to pronounce when conjugated, so it is also common to say something like: "Ik kom uit... [land van geboorte]" (translated: "I'm from... [country of origin]"). Instead, use the same word for languages, such as: "Ik ben Duits" (translated: I am German). If you come from a country that uses multiple languages, you can most often use the conjugation in some form of '''Country + -s''', like: "Ik ben '''Zuid-Afrika'''''an'''''s'''). This will always be genderneutral as a standard. | |||
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== Alternatives for nouns using a genderized prefix or suffix == | |||
* Bemanning (crew) > crew, ploeg, personeel | |||
* Broederliefde (Brotherly love) > Naastenliefde, siblingliefde | |||
* Damesbroek (Pants without pockets) > Zakloze broek | |||
* Dienstmeisje > Huishouddienst, diener | |||
* Dochteronderneming (subsidiary) > Onder- of kindonderneming | |||
* Huisvrouw > Klusjesmens | |||
* Jongensdroom (Lit. Boyhood dream) > Kinderdroom | |||
* Keukenprinses > Uitbundige kok | |||
* [aantal] man ([amount] of people) > [aantal] mensen | |||
* Meisjesnaam (Maiden name/ birth family name) > Achternaam bij geboorte | |||
* Men (a somewhat archaic pronoun) (One, people, they) > Mensen, ze | |||
* Moederbedrijf (Parental company) > Ouderbedrijf, bovenbedrijf | |||
* Moederbord (Main board) > Systeembord, ''main board'', mobo | |||
* Moedermelk (Breast milk) > Borstvoeding | |||
* Moeder Natuur (Mother Nature) > de (vrije) natuur [God, de Boeddhanatuur, de Dao/Tao] | |||
* Moedertaal (Mother tongue/native tongue) > Ondertaal, eigen taal, geboortetaal | |||
* Moederskind / Vaderskind (mother's child, father's child) > lieveling van ... ouder | |||
* Moedervlek (Birth mark) > Geboortevlek | |||
* Nichterig (lit. [f] Cousin-like, meaning: sissy) > Arrogant, verwaand | |||
* Omafiets/Damesfiets (Specific bicycle) > Opstapfiets, ouderwetse fiets | |||
* Opagrappen (Dad jokes) > Pannenkoekgrappen, flauwe humor | |||
* Paardenmeisje (Horse girl) > Paardenverzorger | |||
* Vaderland (Fatherland/Homeland) > Thuisland, geboorteland | |||
* Waterman (Aquarius) > Aquarius | |||
* Zusterstam (Sister tribe) > Siblingstam | |||
== Gender in religion == | |||
In Abrahamic [[Religion|religions]], like Judaism, Christianity and the Islam, God is [[agender]]. Yet, in the Dutch language, like in English, God is referred to as a male figure in almost every verse of the Qu'Raan, Bible and Tenach. Since the gender revolution, this has been raising questions in society. For more info on this topic, look at the source of this paragraph. The Dutch language is not different to this issue to English and modern spoken Latin languages. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_of_God] | |||
== Honorary titles == | == Honorary titles == | ||
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== Use of gender and genus in official documents and education == | == Use of gender and genus in official documents, speech and education == | ||
In high 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 high 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 elementary school, genderneutral pronouns are still not a part of the curriculum. Teachers have the option to teach, but are not required to. This is part of the reason why still a lot of Dutch speakers are not aware of genderneutral pronouns. | In elementary school, genderneutral pronouns are still not a part of the curriculum. Teachers have the option to teach, but are not required to. This is part of the reason why still a lot of Dutch speakers are not aware of genderneutral pronouns. | ||
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", "voer" and "poot"). NB: Using a diminutive for your partner is therefore also seen as something playful rather than serious matter. | 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", "voer" and "poot"). NB: Using a diminutive for your partner is therefore also seen as something playful rather than serious matter. The Dutch refer to animals (since they are seen as objects) with hij/hem/zijn, unless there is a specific reason to assume that the animal is female, therefore zij/haar is used. | |||
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 about just 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 about just 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'. | ||