1.9.4 Human gender/social gender
Gender-Inclusive Language in Spanish:
How to Use the -e or the -x and Why You Might Choose to Do So
Spanish has conventionally had only two genders and has defaulted to the use of ‘generic masculine’
(the use of the masculine form to represent a group of mixed gender identities; typically the -o ending). For example, think about when you are taught to use las compañeras versus los compañeros.
Wanting a neutral and more inclusive option when referring to a group of people of mixed genders, a growing number of Spanish speakers are using the -e or -x (i.e. les compañeres or lxs compañerxs). The -e and the -x are also being used as gender-neutral endings when referring to a gender nonbinary person (e.g. le compañere or lx compañerx). Another option that has been used is the -@ (e.g. l@s compañer@s) given that it encompasses both the -o and the -a. This option, unlike the -e or the -x does not extend beyond the conventional gender binary.
As a learner of Spanish, you may choose to use these endings in your writing or speech, but also be aware that these gender-neutral endings are relatively new and many Spanish speakers do not consider them ‘proper’ or ‘legitimate’ (just like the use of singular they in English).
Non-conventional gender markers and their characteristics:
| -e as in “todes” | -x as in “todxs” | -@ as in “tod@s” | |
| Can it be pronounced? | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Can it be used in written communication? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Does it include the nonbinary identity? | ✓ | ✓ | ✖ |
Spelling change when utilizing the marker -e
For adjectives and nouns, the inclusive/neutral gender marker -e sometimes requires spelling changes in the letter that precedes it in order to keep the original pronunciation. These changes follow the same pattern as CAR, -GAR, -ZAR verbs.
| Conventional binary forms (“-o” “-a”) |
Written with the inclusive/neutral gender marker “-e” | Spelling errors because they do not keep the original pronunciations | |
| C → QU | e.g. simpático/simpática
artístico/artística |
simpátique
artístique |
simpátice
artístice |
| G → GU | e.g. amigo/amiga
antropólogo/antropóloga |
amigue
antropólogue |
amige
antropóloge |
Various ways to use gender-inclusive language: beyond gender markers
Inclusive Communication: including all genders |
||
| Examples of non-inclusive phrases | ➜➜How can it be changed?➜➜ | Inclusive phrases |
| Los alumnos se fueron. | By using an inclusive gender marker | Les alumnes se fueron.
Lxs alumnxs se fueron. |
| Si ellos tienen preguntas, pueden levantar la mano. | By using an inclusive pronoun | Si alguien tiene una pregunta, puede levantar la mano. |
| Él es trabajador. | By changing the object of the phrase | Es una persona trabajadora. |
Genderless Communication: eliminating gender |
||
| Examples of gendered phrases | ➜➜How can it be changed?➜➜ | Genderless phrases |
| El candidato debe enviar el formulario de candidatura. | By using the passive voice | El formulario de candidatura debe ser enviado. |
| ¿Ya estás inscrito/a? | By changing the tense and mood | ¿Ya te has inscrito? |
| Los alumnos participarán en el evento. | By changing the subject | El alumnado participará en el evento. |
| Nacido en 1990. | By using a noun instead of an adjective | Fecha de nacimiento: 1990. |
Nonbinary Communication: referring to a nonbinary person |
||
| Ejemplos de frases binarias | ➜➜How can it be changed?➜➜ | Nonbinary phrases |
| Mi amiga es escritora. | By using a nonbinary gender marker | Mi amigue es escritore.
Mi amigx es escritorx |
| Él va a la universidad todos los días. | By using a nonbinary pronoun | Elle va a la universidad todos los días.
Ellx va a la universidad todos los días. |
