One sentence summary – The Danish Language Council is preparing for the next edition of the official Danish spelling dictionary, aiming to make the language more gender-neutral by adding gender-balanced words and rewriting definitions that perpetuate stereotypes, sparking debate and controversy, while other countries have made similar efforts to adapt their languages to promote gender equality.
At a glance
- The Danish Language Council is preparing for the next edition of the official Danish spelling dictionary, the Retskrivningsordbogen.
- Gender-balanced words are being added to make the Danish language more gender-neutral.
- The initiative aims to address gender stereotypes.
- Feminine versions of masculine words without equivalents are being proposed.
- Definitions that perpetuate stereotypes will be rewritten to be more gender-neutral.
The details
The Danish Language Council is currently preparing for the next edition of the official Danish spelling dictionary, the Retskrivningsordbogen.
This preparation involves the addition of gender-balanced words.
The aim of this initiative is to make the Danish language more gender-neutral.
The council also hopes to address gender stereotypes through this initiative.
Researchers have identified masculine words that do not have feminine equivalents.
The introduction of feminine versions of these words is being proposed.
In addition, words that perpetuate stereotypes will have their definitions rewritten.
These rewritten definitions will be more gender-neutral.
The proposed changes have sparked debate and controversy.
Some individuals mistakenly believe they will be forced to use certain words.
Approximately 20 new feminine versions of words are proposed for addition to the upcoming edition.
Gender-neutral words will also be included in the new edition.
Some definitions using feminine or masculine pronouns will be amended.
The Danish Language Council is responsible for this initiative.
The council monitors the development of the Danish language and reflects contemporary society.
Other countries, such as Sweden and Germany, have made efforts to adapt their languages.
These adaptations reflect social changes and promote gender equality.
However, there has been resistance in some places, such as France and the United States, against gender-neutral language proposals.
The goal of gender-neutral language is to reduce the masculine and feminine connotations of words.
This approach aims to be more inclusive of nonbinary individuals.
Opponents argue that gender-neutral language can be clunky or difficult to adopt.
The Retskrivningsordbogen is updated annually.
Major updates occur approximately once a decade.
The next major update is scheduled for 2024.
The proposed changes will undergo review before being added to the dictionary.
An expert council of linguists and the director of the Danish Language Council will conduct this review.
This thorough process ensures the dictionary remains reliable and accurate.
It also ensures the dictionary is reflective of the evolving Danish language and contemporary society.
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| washingtonpost.com |
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| – The Danish Language Council is preparing to add gender-balanced words to the next edition of the official Danish spelling dictionary, the Retskrivningsordbogen. – |
| The aim is to make the Danish language more gender-neutral and tackle gender stereotypes. |
| – Researchers have identified masculine words without feminine equivalents and proposed introducing feminine versions of these words. |
| – Words that perpetuate stereotypes will have their definitions rewritten in more gender-neutral ways. – |
| The proposed changes have sparked debate and controversy among some people who mistakenly believe they will be forced to use certain words. – Approximately 20 new feminine versions of words are proposed to be added to the upcoming edition. |
| – Gender-neutral words will also be added, and some definitions using feminine or masculine pronouns will be amended. – |
| The Danish Language Council’s duty is to monitor the development of the Danish language and reflect contemporary society. |
| – Other countries, such as Sweden and Germany, have made efforts to adapt their languages to reflect social changes and promote gender equality. |
| – However, there has been pushback in some places, such as France and the United States, against gender-neutral language proposals. |
| – Gender-neutral language aims to reduce the masculine and feminine connotations of words and be more inclusive of nonbinary people. |
| – Opponents argue that gender-neutral language can be clunky or difficult to adopt. – |
| The Retskrivningsordbogen is updated yearly, but major updates occur roughly once a decade, with the next one scheduled for 2024. – |
| The proposed changes will be reviewed by an expert council of linguists and the director of the Danish Language Council before being added to the dictionary. |
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