France could ban ‘confusing’ gender neutral words that ‘endanger the language’ under law proposed by 60 MPs
- 60 MPs are pushing for a ban on ‘confusing’ gender inclusive words
- They argue the changes make learning proper French more difficult
- The proposed law will be debated in the national assembly in the coming weeks
France could ban ‘confusing’ gender inclusive words under a new law proposed by 60 MPs.
The MPs argue that the gender inclusive nouns make learning proper French more difficult and could even endanger the entire language.
The new legislation was proposed by MP François Jolivet and close allies of President Emmanuel Macron.
France could ban ‘confusing’ gender inclusive words under a new law proposed by 60 MPs
The MPs claim that the gender neutral words ‘create a gap between the spoken language and written language.’
‘It is therefore the whole of French linguistic heritage which risks disappearing,’ they said in a statement quoted by the Telegraph.
‘The fight for equality between women and men is fair. The road it takes is sometimes confusing.
‘Do the rules of grammar no longer exist?’
Concerns have also been raised over the accessibility of the grammar changes for people who are blind or have learning difficulties.
The proposed law will be debated in the national assembly in the coming weeks.
Proponents of ‘écriture inclusive’ argue that it prevents the erasure of females from the French language.
Currently, a French grammar rule taught in schools dictates that the masculine plural of nouns ‘always wins’.
Currently, a French grammar rule taught in schools dictates that the masculine plural of nouns ‘always wins’.
The masculine plural of friends, ‘amis’, is used to refer to both women and men, even if the majority of the group is female.
The feminine plural, ‘amies’, would only be used if everyone in the group was female.
The feminine plural, ‘amies’, is used only when there is not one man in the group.