Language Change through Feminist Language Critique: Gender Equality in Language Use at Berlin’s Universities

Abstract

This contribution analyses whether gender equality in language use in German is on the way to be established as a norm in certain contexts. The university context is chosen for an exemplary study. At the universities analysed in the article, forms, which contribute to a representation of women in language or avoid a representation of men only, can be considered the norm: These forms are used as well as stipulated in recommendations. Forms, which have been suggested to include persons who do not see themselves as women or men, are mostly absent and are not recommended either. Universities thereby position themselves in society as supporters of the equality of women and men. However, they do not question a binary conception of gender.