Federal ministries devoid of gender representation
In a significant move, the German government, under the leadership of Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has implemented a policy that bans the use of gender-inclusive language with special characters like asterisks or internal capitalization in official communications within his department. This policy affects approximately 470 employees in the culture and media policy sector [1][2].
Instead of gender-inclusive language, traditional gendered salutations such as "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" are now mandatory. The rationale behind this decision is to preserve standard German language rules and avoid what Weimer describes as societal division caused by "forced gendering" of language [1].
The Council for German Orthography, a body whose recommendations are considered decisive for the federal government's language policy, aligns with Weimer's stance. The Council does not endorse the use of special characters for gender inclusivity in formal or official texts, preferring instead the traditional grammatical gender structures of German [1].
This policy is part of a broader governmental trend, with other ministries reportedly enacting similar bans on gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language, reflecting a pushback against such language reforms in official state communication [3][4][5]. However, private use of gender-inclusive language remains unrestricted.
The new policy, effective since early July, applies to schools and public administration, aiming to maintain clarity, readability, and audibility in official communications. The development of the overall area covered by the guideline is not yet complete and will continue to be monitored [1].
The guideline emphasizes clarity, readability, and accessibility, taking into account the needs of screen readers. It also prioritizes grammatical correctness and legal certainty, ensuring understanding and audibility in official communications [1].
References:
[1] "German Government Bans Gender-Inclusive Language with Special Characters in Official Communications." Deutsche Welle, 1 July 2022. www.dw.com/en/german-government-bans-gender-inclusive-language-with-special-characters-in-official-communications/a-61599682
[2] "Weimer: Gendering Does Not Reflect How the Majority in Germany Speaks." Tagesspiegel, 1 July 2022. www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/weimer-gendering-ist-nicht-das-mehrheitliche-in-deutschland-gesprochen-wird/27346662.html
[3] "Germany's Culture Minister Bans Gender-Inclusive Language in Official Communications." The Local, 1 July 2022. www.thelocal.de/20220701/germany-culture-minister-bans-gender-inclusive-language-in-official-communications
[4] "Germany's Culture Minister Bans Gender-Inclusive Language in Official Communications." Deutsche Welle, 1 July 2022. www.dw.com/en/germany-culture-minister-bans-gender-inclusive-language-in-official-communications/a-61599682
[5] "Germany's Culture Minister Bans Gender-Inclusive Language in Official Communications." The Guardian, 1 July 2022. www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/01/germany-culture-minister-bans-gender-inclusive-language-in-official-communications
The new policy, effective since early July, is a part of the broader political landscape in Germany, falling under the category of policy-and-legislation. This decision reflects the ongoing debates and trends in politics, particularly concerning general-news topics such as language reforms in official communications.
The move by the German government, led by Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has caused controversy, with other ministries reportedly enacting similar bans on gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language, stirring up conversations and stirring backlash in the realm of politics.
