Journal of Language and Sexuality - Volume 11, Issue 2, 2022

Abstract

The papers in this special issue address themes from They, Hirself, Em, and YOU 2019 (THEY 2019), a conference that brought together researchers working on topics relating to nonbinary gender in language, particularly in pronouns. The papers collected in this special issue provide an overview of the current state of research and practice on nonbinary pronouns as they are currently used in English, as well as connecting the current practices in English to nonbinary pronouns in other languages. There are two sections. In the first section are five traditional academic articles on non-binary language and pronouns; the second section features three short technical articles that raise practical and/or pedagogical issues related to non-binary pronouns from a scholarly perspective. Authors in this volume investigate these topics not only for the advancement of linguistic scholarship, but also to make that scholarship visible to other fields and for broader advocacy.

Abstract

This paper describes an ongoing shift in the pronominal system of English that is primarily related to transgender and non-binary identities. Apparent time evidence suggests that this is an ongoing change, and metalinguistic comments support the indexical link between the change and the increased visibility of transgender and non-binary English speakers. Sociopragmatic variation enabled by this change shows that the pronoun system of English functions much less like a grammatical gender (noun class) system, and much more like a system of honorifics. The second half of the paper puts forward a position for social justice around pronoun use and gender autonomy, including advice for professional linguists who work in related fields.

Abstract

This paper explores how ten nonbinary North American YouTubers appeal to legitimizing discourses (van Leeuwen & Wodak 1999) as rationalizations for their choices regarding identity labels and pronouns. Given the local cultural salience of the implications of their language choices, the YouTubers rationalize their terminological choices through legitimizing discourses that prioritize historical facts, lexical definitions, and personal feelings. I examine how these discourses presuppose particular language ideologies, or implicit assumptions about what language users view as “appropriate” language practices. In the case of the nonbinary YouTubers, I illustrate that the vloggers’ legitimizing discourses appeal to and juxtapose a referentialist ideology (Hill 2008, Silverstein 1979), according to which words should describe the world truthfully, and an ideology of self-identification (Zimman 2019), which prioritizes individual agency. Crucially, deploying these legitimizing discourses is an important strategy that nonbinary YouTubers draw on as part of their advocacy and education projects.

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive overview of attitudes towards nonbinary pronouns, with the aim of better understanding why these pronouns are either accepted or rejected. Attitudes towards nonbinary they and the neopronouns ze and xe are explored with a thematic analysis of data derived from a larger online survey on pronouns (n = 1128). While the results demonstrate various polarized stances for both types of pronouns, the participants’ reactions highlight greater acceptance of and support for nonbinary they. In addition, the paper proposes that broader ideologies about gender are behind the participants’ overt reactions to nonbinary pronouns. Most notably, while some participants rejected the pronouns on the basis of a binary gender ideology, others viewed gender as a matter of self-identification, accepting any pronoun an individual chooses for themselves.

Abstract

The increased visibility of the non-binary community is reflected in the media, with trans and non-binary characters becoming more common in film and series. This provides a great opportunity to raise global awareness of non-binary people, but the exporting of this media usually comes with translations done by people who do not specialize in queer, trans, or non-binary sociolects. This paper gives an overview of different linguistic gender strategies in present-day Spanish, and uses two examples of popular Netflix series with trans or non-binary characters as Spanish translation case studies to illustrate the different linguistic challenges and approaches to representing non-binary identities in Spanish.

Abstract

Introducing material that helps to develop intercultural competence in English class brings the opportunity to reflect upon topics such as identity and representation. One way to do it is by introducing gender-neutral pronouns to our practice. This topic becomes particularly relevant as students get the chance to develop their intercultural awareness. For some students, the concept of gender-neutral pronouns, and what they imply, might be difficult to grasp, because they may not be fully aware of what they are or how to use them. Learning about gender-neutral pronouns can lead students to question some previous assumptions and creates a safe space in the classroom to talk about such topics. In this paper, I explore why working with these pronouns can not only improve the students’ grammar skills, but also can help them boost their intercultural competence. Furthermore, it is relevant for EFL students, but even more for future translators.

Abstract

My introductory Linguistics course was for many years shaped by the field’s distaste for social justice issues such as cisheterosexism, racism, colonialism and ableism. Like many other linguists, I concentrated my teaching on the core formal subfields. This essay considers how the colonial roots of Linguistics have shaped the field and my teaching, and reflects on my efforts to integrate social justice concerns into my teaching, using the changing grammar of non-binary pronouns as one entry point.

Abstract

Pronouns are a crucial linguistic resource for transgender and nonbinary people, and educators are in a unique position to support trans and nonbinary students by implementing affirming pronoun practices for their classrooms. This paper outlines concrete strategies for creating a trans-affirming pedagogy in the context of higher education. The strategies discussed detail modelling pronoun introductions, collecting pronoun information, navigating pronoun misuse, and considerations related to curricula and classroom contexts. Pronoun practices are an essential step towards making the classroom an affirming place for transgender and nonbinary students to thrive.

This article reviews Dictionnaire Historique du Lexique de l’Homosexualité: Transferts Linguistiques et Culturels entre Français, Italien, Espagnol, Anglais et Allemand

This article reviews Language Before Stonewall: Language, Sexuality, History