GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE: BETWEEN INCLUSION AND CONTROVERSY IN SOCIETAL PERCEPTIONS

Authors

  • Herryono Soegiarto Universitas Bumigora, Mataram, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56371/jirpl.v6i3.374

Keywords:

Gender-neutral Language, Linguistic Inclusiveness, Gender Identity, Media, Policy, Societal View

Abstract

Gender identity and social impressions are greatly shaped by language, which also is crucial. Gender-neutral language's emergence seeks to support inclusivity and fit non-binary identities. This paper investigates society opinions, debates, and difficulties with gender-neutral terminology. It looks at how gender identity representation is shaped by language patterns and the elements causing acceptance or opposition. It also looks at how legislation and the media shape public perceptions and their contributions to either supporting or impeding language reform. This study examines scholarly literature, policy documents, and media reports using a library research approach. By means of case studies from many linguistic backgrounds, a qualitative study reveals recurrent themes in gender-neutral language acceptance and opposition, therefore evaluating the efficacy of media advocacy and policy implementation. Results show that even if younger generations are embracing gender-neutral language more and more, institutional and cultural barriers cause opposition. The paper emphasises how media helps to normalise inclusive language and the influence of government actions in either supporting or hindering their acceptance. The study finds that reconciling inclusivity with cultural traditions depends on collaborative efforts among policymakers, educators, media, and language institutions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ashrafova, I. (2024). Language and Gender: Exploring Structures and Bias in Linguistic Norms. Acta Globalis Humanitatis et Linguarum, 1(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.69760/aghel.024048
Bauzà Bosch, T. (2021). Inclusive and Gender-Inclusive Language in the Classroom: Use of They as the Singular Gender-Neutral Pronoun for the English Language.
Bucholtz, M., & Hall, K. (2004). Theorizing identity in language and sexuality research. Language in Society, 33(4), 469–515.
Butler, J. (2025). Performative acts and gender constitution: An essay in phenomenology and feminist theory. In The performance studies reader (pp. 186–196). Routledge.
Cairney, P., St Denny, E., Kippin, S., & Mitchell, H. (2022). Lessons from policy theories for the pursuit of equity in health, education and gender policy. Policy & Politics, 50(3), 362–383.
Cameron, D. (2005). Language, gender, and sexuality: Current issues and new directions. Applied Linguistics, 26(4), 482–502.
Coates, J. (2015). Women, men and language: A sociolinguistic account of gender differences in language. Routledge.
Cossman, B. (2018). Gender identity, gender pronouns, and freedom of expression: Bill C-16 and the traction of specious legal claims. University of Toronto Law Journal, 68(1), 37–79.
Coupland, N. (2016). Labov, vernacularity and sociolinguistic change. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 20(4), 409–430.
Creedon, P. J., & Wackwitz, L. A. (2022). Women in mass communication: diversity, equity, and inclusion. Taylor & Francis.
Diaz, A. R., Mejía, G., & Villamizar, A. G. (2022). Gender neutral and non-binary language practices in the Spanish language classroom: Tensions between disciplinary and societal changes. L2 Journal: An Open Access Refereed Journal for World Language Educators, 14(3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5070/L214356302
Eckert, P., & McConnell-Ginet, S. (2013). Language and gender. Cambridge University Press.
Edström, J., Hassink, A., Shahrokh, T., & Stern, E. (2015). Engendering men: A collaborative review of evidence on men and boys in social change and gender equality.
Foucart, A. (2008). Grammatical gender processing in French as a first and second language.
Gustafsson Sendén, M., Bäck, E. A., & Lindqvist, A. (2015a). Introducing a gender-neutral pronoun in a natural gender language: the influence of time on attitudes and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 893.
Gustafsson Sendén, M., Bäck, E. A., & Lindqvist, A. (2015b). Introducing a gender-neutral pronoun in a natural gender language: the influence of time on attitudes and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 893.
Knisely, K. A. (2023). Gender?justice beyond inclusion: How trans knowledges and linguistic practices can and should be re?shaping language education. The Modern Language Journal, 107(2), 607–623.
Labov, W. (2002). Driving forces in linguistic change. Proceedings of the 2002 International Conference on Korean Linguistics, 1–24.
Lailiyah, N., Hamdani, B., & Arianto, A. K. (2024). Tindak Tutur Performatif dalam Sumpah Jabatan: Sebuah Analisis Wacana Kritis. Madah: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 15(2), 242–258.
Lindqvist, A., Renström, E. A., & Gustafsson Sendén, M. (2019). Reducing a male bias in language? Establishing the efficiency of three different gender-fair language strategies. Sex Roles, 81(1), 109–117. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-0974-9
Lorber, J. (2021). The new gender paradox: Fragmentation and persistence of the binary. John Wiley & Sons.
Preece, S. (2016). Introduction: Language and identity in applied linguistics. In The Routledge handbook of language and identity (pp. 1–16). Routledge.
Quintana Teixeira, M. del P. (n.d.). The Influence of Feminism and LGBTQ+ Movements on Language Change in English: The Expansion of Gender-neutral Language.
Salih, S. (2007). On Judith butler and performativity. Sexualities and Communication in Everyday Life: A Reader, 55–68.
Sarrasin, O., Gabriel, U., & Gygax, P. (2012). Sexism and attitudes toward gender-neutral language. Swiss Journal of Psychology.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-20

How to Cite

Soegiarto, H. (2025). GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE: BETWEEN INCLUSION AND CONTROVERSY IN SOCIETAL PERCEPTIONS. JILPR Journal Indonesia Law and Policy Review, 6(3), 535–543. https://doi.org/10.56371/jirpl.v6i3.374