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Abstract

Abstract

This article focuses on the formal codification of the gender-neutral pronoun in Norwegian by analysing retrospective narratives from two central staff from the as well as two lexicographers in charge of the entry in the Norwegian Standard dictionaries ( and ). The analyses employ labeling theory as a theoretical lens and it is situated in the field of language policy and planning (LPP). The participants depict a stepwise process: (1) , (2) with the allocation of power to different actors and (3) . Beyond this process, a is described in the power relation in LPP between majority and minority in the language community, which includes an increased respect for a minority’s right to self-labeling, and perhaps also increased attention paid to avoiding linguistic wounding.

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2026-01-05
2026-01-24

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Labeling gender across and beyond the binary
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/jls.24033.bug
/content/journals/10.1075/jls.24033.bug
/content/journals/10.1075/jls.24033.bug
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: hen ; Norwegian ; gender-neutral pronoun ; language policy ; labeling theory ; language planning

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