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Gender neutral language in Swedish: Difference between revisions
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{{Template:Gender neutral language}} | {{Template:Gender neutral language}} | ||
<translate><!--T:1--> | <translate>== Introduction == <!--T:1--> | ||
The Swedish language has two grammatical genders, common (en-words, previously feminine and masculine but they are now merged) and neuter (ett-words). Swedish has thus been more adaptable to gender-neutral (or gender inclusive) expressions than languages with rigid feminine | <!--T:146--> | ||
The Swedish language has two grammatical genders, common (en-words, previously feminine and masculine but they are now merged) and neuter (ett-words). Swedish has thus been more adaptable to gender-neutral (or gender inclusive) expressions than languages with rigid feminine-masculine distinctions. | |||
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Gender-neutral/gender-inclusive language is a way of communicating that intentionally avoids assumptions about gender. In Swedish, this can mean: | |||
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* Using gender-neutral pronouns: ''Hen'' instead of ''han'' (he) or ''hon'' (she). | * Using gender-neutral pronouns: ''Hen'' instead of ''han'' (he) or ''hon'' (she). | ||
* Choosing inclusive nouns: ''Vuxen'' (adult) instead of '' | * Choosing inclusive nouns: ''Vuxen'' (adult) instead of ''kvinna'' (woman) or ''man'' (man). | ||
* Reforming job titles: ''Brandbekämpare'' (firefighter) instead of ''brandman'' (literally “fireman”), and ''sjukskötare'' (caregiver/nurse) instead of ''sjuksköterska'' (traditionally specifically “female nurse”). | * Reforming job titles: ''Brandbekämpare'' (firefighter) instead of ''brandman'' (literally “fireman”), and ''sjukskötare'' (caregiver/nurse) instead of ''sjuksköterska'' (traditionally specifically “female nurse”). | ||
=== Why Gender-Neutral Language Matters === | === Why Gender-Neutral Language Matters === <!--T:239--> | ||
The goal of gender-neutral language is to foster equality and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of gender, as well as to lessen the excess emphasis and importance that is put on gender in a highly socioculturally gendered society. It helps reduce the risk of misgendering, which can cause discomfort or distress – particularly for people who experience gender dysphoria or those who do not identify within the traditional gender binary. | The goal of gender-neutral language is to foster equality and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of gender, as well as to lessen the excess emphasis and importance that is put on gender in a highly socioculturally gendered society. It helps reduce the risk of misgendering, which can cause discomfort or distress – particularly for people who experience gender dysphoria or those who do not identify within the traditional gender binary. | ||
Gender-neutral language is not only a useful and necessary grammatical tool, but also a social one. It is especially important in contexts where gender is varied/queer, mixed/diverse in a group, irrelevant/unwanted, secret or unknown. By adopting inclusive language, we create environments that respect and acknowledge everyone. | <!--T:147--> | ||
Gender-neutral language is not only a useful and necessary grammatical tool, but also a social one. It is especially important in contexts where gender is varied/queer, mixed/diverse in a group, irrelevant/unwanted, secret or unknown. By adopting inclusive language, we create environments that respect and acknowledge everyone, it does not theaten gender equality. | |||
=== History === | === History === <!--T:240--> | ||
Historically, the Swedish society was, like many others, deeply rooted in a binary understanding of gender. Language reflected this, with most professions and roles being assigned a default gender – often masculine – unless specifically marked as feminine (for example, ''sjuksköterska'' for “nurse” and ''brandman'' for “firefighter”). Over time, as societal attitudes toward gender evolved, so too did the need for language that could accommodate a broader spectrum of identities. | Historically, the Swedish society was, like many others, deeply rooted in a binary understanding of gender. Language reflected this, with most professions and roles being assigned a default gender – often masculine – unless specifically marked as feminine (for example, ''sjuksköterska'' for “nurse” and ''brandman'' for “firefighter”). Over time, as societal attitudes toward gender evolved, so too did the need for language that could accommodate a broader spectrum of identities. | ||
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The late 20<sup>th</sup> and early 21<sup>st</sup> centuries saw a growing awareness of gender diversity and the limitations of binary language. Activists and linguists began advocating for more inclusive alternatives. This movement gained momentum as Sweden became increasingly recognized for its progressive stance on gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights. | The late 20<sup>th</sup> and early 21<sup>st</sup> centuries saw a growing awareness of gender diversity and the limitations of binary language. Activists and linguists began advocating for more inclusive alternatives. This movement gained momentum as Sweden became increasingly recognized for its progressive stance on gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights. | ||
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A notable milestone was the introduction and popularization of hen – a gender-neutral pronoun – in the 2010s. Hen was not an entirely new invention; it had appeared in feminist and LGBTQIA+ circles as early as the 1960s, but it was the 21st century that saw it enter mainstream dictionaries and everyday speech. | A notable milestone was the introduction and popularization of hen – a gender-neutral pronoun – in the 2010s. Hen was not an entirely new invention; it had appeared in feminist and LGBTQIA+ circles as early as the 1960s, but it was the 21st century that saw it enter mainstream dictionaries and everyday speech. | ||
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==<translate><!--T:2--> Pronouns</translate>== | ==<translate><!--T:2--> Pronouns</translate>== | ||
===<translate><!--T:3--> Gender-neutral third-person singular</translate>=== | ===<translate><!--T:3--> Gender-neutral third-person singular</translate>=== | ||
<translate><!--T:4--> Swedish’s official gender-neutral pronoun is hen/hen/hens. The Swedish common-inanimate pronoun den/den/dens (equivalent to it/it/its) is also used for gender-neutral language and by some nonbinary people. Singular de/dem/deras[https://transformering.se/vad-ar-trans/pronomen] (they/them/their) can often be used as a gender-neutral pronoun without it sounding weird, even though it is not commonly recognized or documented for being able to do so. If de/dem/deras is used in singular, the numeral conjugations of other words could be in singular as well (with regards to it not being common practice). Some nonbinary people have also opted for neopronouns such as hin/hin/hins [https://svenska.se/so/?id=130633][https://sv.wiktionary.org/wiki/hin][https://www.mjolby.se/uppleva-och-gora/fritidsgardar/queerious/ordlista---queerious][https://transformering.se/vad-ar-trans/pronomen], which is actually not a new pronoun but an obsolete pronoun (archaeopronoun) that means something alike “that one”, but is in modern times pretty much only used in the set phrase “hin håle” (the hard one, the devil). | <translate><!--T:4--> | ||
Swedish’s official gender-neutral pronoun is hen/hen/hens. The Swedish common-inanimate pronoun den/den/dens (equivalent to it/it/its) is also used for gender-neutral language and by some nonbinary people. Singular de/dem/deras[https://transformering.se/vad-ar-trans/pronomen] (they/them/their) can often be used as a gender-neutral pronoun without it sounding weird, even though it is not commonly recognized or documented for being able to do so. If de/dem/deras is used in singular, the numeral conjugations of other words could be in singular as well (with regards to it not being common practice). Some nonbinary people have also opted for neopronouns such as hin/hin/hins [https://svenska.se/so/?id=130633][https://sv.wiktionary.org/wiki/hin][https://www.mjolby.se/uppleva-och-gora/fritidsgardar/queerious/ordlista---queerious][https://transformering.se/vad-ar-trans/pronomen], which is actually not a new pronoun but an obsolete pronoun (archaeopronoun) that means something alike “that one”, but is in modern times pretty much only used in the set phrase “hin håle” (the hard one, the devil). | |||
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'na and 'an are a shortened, dialectal or old accusative forms of the feminine Swedish pronouns "hon" and the masculine Swedish pronouns "han", 'en could be used for "hen" is a similar way if one uses it in a way that sounds natural. </translate> | 'na and 'an are a shortened, dialectal or old accusative forms of the feminine Swedish pronouns "hon" and the masculine Swedish pronouns "han", 'en could be used for "hen" is a similar way if one uses it in a way that sounds natural. </translate> | ||
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===<translate><!--T:19--> Generic pronoun</translate>=== | ===<translate><!--T:19--> Generic pronoun</translate>=== | ||
<translate><!--T:20--> | <translate><!--T:20--> | ||
To refer to people in general in Swedish, the pronouns "man/en/en" (one/one/one’s) or "en/en/ens" (one/one/one’s) can be used. Swedish’s generic pronoun man/en/ens has been discussed for being male-generalizing, and some people have opted to use en/en/ens instead to make it gender neutral. Even though the word "man" is in modern times specifically associated with and viewed as for male people specifically, does also have the etymological meaning of "human" in addition to the meaning "male person". Although in the use of -man as a suffix, it is usually replaced with -kvinna (-woman) for women because it isn't seen as or used as a synonym for human anymore, but it is specifically ingrained and established as male, but as a generic pronoun it's not necessarily viewed that way. Using "en" instead of "man" can be seen as more gender- | To refer to people in general in Swedish, the pronouns "man/en/en" (one/one/one’s) or "en/en/ens" (one/one/one’s) can be used. Swedish’s generic pronoun man/en/ens has been discussed for being male-generalizing, and some people have opted to use en/en/ens instead to make it gender neutral. Even though the word "man" is in modern times specifically associated with and viewed as for male people specifically, does also have the etymological meaning of "human" in addition to the meaning "male person". Although in the use of -man as a suffix, it is usually replaced with -kvinna (-woman) for women because it isn't seen as or used as a synonym for human anymore, but it is specifically ingrained and established as male, but as a generic pronoun it's not necessarily viewed that way. Using "en" instead of "man" can be seen as more gender-inclusive through it being non-male-generalizing, it is also frequently practiced in some of Sweden's regions, so it is a natural grammatical dialect variation in the Swedish language, but can make some common sentences awkward and is not universally recognized. Either one is fine though. [https://web.archive.org/web/20221102131452/https://www4.isof.se/cgi-bin/srfl/visasvar.py?sok=man&svar=78373&log_id=909986] | ||
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=== <translate><!--T:148--> Referring to God</translate>=== | === <translate><!--T:148--> Referring to God</translate>=== | ||
<translate><!--T:149--> While the abrahamic God is normally referred to with masculine pronouns even in Swedish, some might opt for using non-gendered words instead as to not apply human concepts to God. To do that one can instead just say "Gud" (God) instead of a pronoun, or the pronoun "de" (typically plural they, is sometimes used as singular they, but using it as plural might seem fitting for a trinity) or "hen" (gender-neutral singular they). The latter (*two, but especially the latter hen) might be controversial depending on who one asks.</translate> | <translate><!--T:149--> While the abrahamic God is normally referred to with masculine pronouns even in Swedish, some might opt for using non-gendered words instead as to not apply human concepts to God. To do that one can instead just say "Gud" (God) instead of a pronoun, or the pronoun "de" (typically plural they, is sometimes used as singular they, but using it as plural might seem fitting for a trinity) or "hen" (gender-neutral singular they). The latter (*two, but especially the latter "hen") might be controversial depending on who one asks.</translate> | ||
== <translate><!--T:21--> Gender-inclusive phrasing</translate> == | == <translate><!--T:21--> Gender-inclusive phrasing</translate> == | ||
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|} | |} | ||
<translate><!--T:183--> '''Note 1:''' | <translate><!--T:183--> | ||
'''Note 1:''' "Enby" and "enban" are not standardized words in Swedish, but are loanwords from English to fill the gap of nonbinary inclusive language. | |||
</translate> | </translate> | ||
<translate><!--T:184--> '''Note 2:''' " | <translate><!--T:184--> '''Note 2:''' The words "enby" and "enban" were made for nonbinary people specifically, but could be used by intersex people who identify with being "inter". They can also be used by parents for their intersex children "if" the child expresses an identification with not being specifially a girl or a boy and wants to use those words. These words are, however, not condoned by everyone since they do reinforce gendering. It's important to remember that words like "girl", "boy" and "enby" are gendered nouns, while endosex, intersex, female and male are about biological sex and should be used as descriptors for such, which is why some people opt not to have any single specific gendered person-nouns for intersex people.</translate> | ||
<translate><!--T:185--> '''Note 3:''' "Enby" and "enban" | <translate><!--T:185--> '''Note 3:''' "Enby", and by extension "enban", stem from the abbreviation of nonbinary – "NB" (/en-bee/). Enby is the nonbinary equivalent of the words "girl" and "boy", and enban is the nonbinary equivalent of the words "woman" and "man". Many nonbinary adults do however call themselves "enby".</translate> | ||
<translate><!--T:186--> '''Note 4:''' Some nonbinary people dislike "enby" and see it as infantilizing. | <translate><!--T:186--> | ||
'''Note 4:''' Some nonbinary people dislike "enby" and see it as infantilizing. | |||
'''Note 5:''' The descriptive adjectives can be used instead of the specific people nouns as to not nounify attributes and descriptive characteristics (such as age) that one deems to be misplaced | <!--T:244--> | ||
'''Note 5:''' The descriptive adjectives can be used instead of the specific people nouns as to not nounify attributes and descriptive characteristics (such as age) that one deems to be misplaced in prescriptive or identifying people-nouns.</translate> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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*'''Partner.''' Neutral, standard. Means partner. | *'''Partner.''' Neutral, standard. Means partner. | ||
*'''Livspartner, platonisk livspartner.''' Neutral. Means lifepartner | *'''Livspartner, platonisk livspartner, QPP/Queerplatonisk partner.''' Neutral. Means lifepartner, platonic lifepartner and queerplatonic partner. | ||
*'''Sambo.''' Neutral, standard. Means cohabitation-partner. | *'''Sambo.''' Neutral, standard. Means cohabitation-partner. | ||
*'''Älskling.''' Neutral, standard. Means love. | *'''Älskling.''' Neutral, standard. Means love. | ||
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*'''Brudpartner.''' Neutral, nonstandard. Means marrier/spouse-to-be/nearly-wed. | *'''Brudpartner.''' Neutral, nonstandard. Means marrier/spouse-to-be/nearly-wed. | ||
*'''Fästpartner/fästperson/förlovade.''' Neutral, standard/nonstandard. Means betrothed/fiance. | *'''Fästpartner/fästperson/förlovade.''' Neutral, standard/nonstandard. Means betrothed/fiance. | ||
*'''Gemål/äktenskaplig partner/gift partner.''' Neutral, formal, little use/standard. Means | *'''Gemål/äktenskapspartner/äktenskaplig partner/gift partner.''' Neutral, formal, little use/standard. Means consort/maritial spouse. | ||
*'''Spouse.''' Neutral, English loanword, might be understood but might sound weird. | *'''Spouse.''' Neutral, English loanword, might be understood but might sound weird. | ||
*'''Dejt.''' Neutral, standard. Means date. | *'''Dejt.''' Neutral, standard. Means date. | ||
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*'''Besatt/ockuperad/med personal, obesatt/oockuperad/utan personal, personalbesatt.''' Means occupied/with staff and unoccupied/without staff, these alternatives can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives to "bemannad" (manned) and "obemannad" (unmanned). | *'''Besatt/ockuperad/med personal, obesatt/oockuperad/utan personal, personalbesatt.''' Means occupied/with staff and unoccupied/without staff, these alternatives can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives to "bemannad" (manned) and "obemannad" (unmanned). | ||
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*'''Besegra, överväldiga/överrumpla, övertrumfa, övervinna.''' Non-male-generalizing alternatives to "övermanna" ("overman"/overpower), means "defeat", "overwhelm", "outdo" and "overcome". | *'''Besegra, överväldiga/överrumpla, övertrumfa, övervinna.''' Non-male-generalizing alternatives to "övermanna" ("overman"/overpower), means "defeat", "overwhelm", "outdo" and "overcome". | ||
*'''Besättning/personal/rekrytering, personalbesättning.''' Neutral, standard-nonstandard. Means staff/crew/recuitment and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for bemanning ("manning"). | *'''Besättning/personal/rekrytering, personalbesättning.''' Neutral, standard-nonstandard. Means staff/crew/recuitment and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for bemanning ("manning"). | ||
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*'''Födelseefternamn, efternamn som ogift, efternamn före äktenskapet, föräktenskapligt efternamn, tidigare efternamn, släktnamn.''' Neutral alternative to maiden name. | *'''Födelseefternamn, efternamn som ogift, efternamn före äktenskapet, föräktenskapligt efternamn, tidigare efternamn, släktnamn.''' Neutral alternative to maiden name. | ||
*'''Föreställningsförmåga, artisteri, scennärvaro.''' Neutral non-male-generalizing alternative for the loanword showmanship. | *'''Föreställningsförmåga, artisteri, scennärvaro.''' Neutral non-male-generalizing alternative for the loanword showmanship. | ||
*'''Förtrollare/trollkonstnär/förhäxare/häxkonstnär/magiker.''' Neutral. Means enchanter/enchantment artist/bewitcher/witchcrafter/witchcraft artist/magician and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for "trollkarl" (magic/enchanter-man, warlock/wizard). They can also be used to avoid the feminine connotations to "häxa" (witch), even though it can be seen as a gender-neutral word in itself. | *'''Förtrollare/trollkonstnär/förhäxare/häxkonstnär/magiker/frammanare/besvärjare.''' Neutral. Means enchanter/enchantment artist/bewitcher/witchcrafter/witchcraft artist/magician/summoner/spellcaster and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for "trollkarl" (magic/enchanter-man, warlock/wizard). They can also be used to avoid the feminine connotations to "häxa" (witch), even though it can be seen as a gender-neutral word in itself. | ||
*'''Föräldraskap/släktskap, barnbärande föräldraskap.''' Neutral, standard. Means parenthood, kinship and childbearing parenthood, they can be used as a gender-neutral alternatives to motherhood and fatherhood. | *'''Föräldraskap/släktskap, barnbärande föräldraskap.''' Neutral, standard. Means parenthood, kinship and childbearing parenthood, they can be used as a gender-neutral alternatives to motherhood and fatherhood. | ||
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*'''Humanoid.''' Neutral alternative to android/gynoid. | *'''Humanoid.''' Neutral alternative to android/gynoid. | ||
*'''Huskost/hushållskost.''' Neutral, will be understood. Means house/household-diet/cuisine (traditional home cooked food) and can be used as a non-male-generalizing alternative for "husmanskost" (house-man's-diet/cuisine). | *'''Huskost/hushållskost.''' Neutral, will be understood. Means house/household-diet/cuisine (traditional home cooked food) and can be used as a non-male-generalizing alternative for "husmanskost" (house-man's-diet/cuisine). | ||
*'''Hushållstips/hushållsknep/hemmatips.''' Means household tips/tricks and can be used as a non-female alternative to "husmorstips" (housewife's tips). | |||
* '''Huvudfarkost/huvudskepp, bärarfarkost/bärarskepp, basfarkost/basskepp, hangarfarkost/hangarskepp.''' Neutral non-standard, little use, alternatives to mothership. | * '''Huvudfarkost/huvudskepp, bärarfarkost/bärarskepp, basfarkost/basskepp, hangarfarkost/hangarskepp.''' Neutral non-standard, little use, alternatives to mothership. | ||
*'''Huvudkort, systemkort.''' Neutral standard alternatives to motherboard. | *'''Huvudkort, systemkort.''' Neutral standard alternatives to motherboard. | ||
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*'''Karaktär.''' Neutral, standard. Means character/game-character and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for "spelgubbe/gubbe" (game-man/man). | *'''Karaktär.''' Neutral, standard. Means character/game-character and can be used as non-male-generalizing alternatives for "spelgubbe/gubbe" (game-man/man). | ||
*'''Kronarvtagare/tronföljare/arvinge.''' Neutral, standard. Means crown-successor/heir and can be used instead of "kronprinsessa" (crown princess) and "kronprins" (crown prince). | *'''Kronarvtagare/tronföljare/arvinge.''' Neutral, standard. Means crown-successor/heir and can be used instead of "kronprinsessa" (crown princess) and "kronprins" (crown prince). | ||
*'''Lantgård, lantegendom frälsegård, adelsgård.''' Non-male-generalizing alternatives to "herrgård" (manor/mansion). | |||
*'''Latinamerikan/latine/latinx.''' Neutralt alternative to latina and latino. Latinamerikan means latinamerican. Latine is more in line with the grammar in Spanish and Portugese, but latinx is used much more frequently and can be seen as more directly inclusive of people of different genders. | *'''Latinamerikan/latine/latinx.''' Neutralt alternative to latina and latino. Latinamerikan means latinamerican. Latine is more in line with the grammar in Spanish and Portugese, but latinx is used much more frequently and can be seen as more directly inclusive of people of different genders. | ||
*'''LEGO-figur/LEGO-minifigur.''' Neutral, standard. Means LEGO-figure/LEGO-minifigure and can be used as a non-male-generalizing alternative for "LEGO-gubbe" (LEGO-man). | *'''LEGO-figur/LEGO-minifigur.''' Neutral, standard. Means LEGO-figure/LEGO-minifigure and can be used as a non-male-generalizing alternative for "LEGO-gubbe" (LEGO-man). | ||
*'''Lågramscykel, högramscykel, mellanramscykel/neutralramscykel.''' Neutral, descriptive and might be understood. Mean low-frame, high-frame and middle-/neutral-frame bicycle, these words can be used instead of gendering specfic type of bikes that anyone can useregardless of gender. Low-frame, high-frame and middle-/neutral-frame bicycle refers to what is conventionally called women's, men's and unisex bicycles respectively. | *'''Lågramscykel, högramscykel, mellanramscykel/neutralramscykel.''' Neutral, descriptive and might be understood. Mean low-frame, high-frame and middle-/neutral-frame bicycle, these words can be used instead of gendering specfic type of bikes that anyone can useregardless of gender. Low-frame, high-frame and middle-/neutral-frame bicycle refers to what is conventionally called women's, men's and unisex bicycles respectively. | ||
*'''Nedärvd, urärvd.''' Non-male-generalizing alternatives to fädernärd (forefather-ancestral). | |||
*'''Nötdjur/nötboskap/nötkreatur.''' Neutral species-specific alternatives to "ko" (cow, vernacular for cattle) and "tjur" (bull), standard but non-vernacular terms for cattle. | *'''Nötdjur/nötboskap/nötkreatur.''' Neutral species-specific alternatives to "ko" (cow, vernacular for cattle) and "tjur" (bull), standard but non-vernacular terms for cattle. | ||
*'''"Oh come on", "ah come on", "oh shoot", "oh snap", "oh fuck", "come on", "ey", "oh wow".''' Non-gendered alternatives to the phrases "o'boy", "oh man" and "ah man". | *'''"Oh come on", "ah come on", "oh shoot", "oh snap", "oh fuck", "come on", "ey", "oh wow".''' Non-gendered alternatives to the phrases "o'boy", "oh man" and "ah man". | ||