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Advancing Gender Neutrality: The Evolution of Feminized and Neutral Legal Terminology

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International Journal for the Semiotics of Law - Revue internationale de Sémiotique juridique Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper delves into the evolution of language in French and English, focusing on the feminization and neutralization of job titles in legal and professional settings. It explores how these linguistic changes are intertwined with the broader implications of language in shaping moral and ethical standards, advocating for gender equality, and challenging gender biases. The study highlights the slow but impactful progress in linguistic reform within legal contexts, suggesting strategies to align legal language with contemporary principles of gender equality.

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Notes

  1. For example, the French Academy has opposed the systematic feminization in a series of declarations (1984, 2002, 2014…).

  2. Declaration of 14 June 1984: according to Georges Dumézil and Claude Lévi-Strauss: ‘‘En français, la marque du féminin ne sert qu’accessoirement à rendre la distinction entre mâle et femelle. […] Des changements, faits de propos délibéré dans un secteur, peuvent avoir sur les autres des répercussions insoupçonnées. Ils risquent de mettre la confusion et le désordre dans un équilibre subtil né de l’usage, et qu’il paraîtrait mieux avisé de laisser à l’usage le soin de modifier”: https://www.academie-francaise.fr/actualites/la-feminisation-des-noms-de-metiers-fonctions-grades-ou-titres-mise-au-point-de-lacademie

  3. For example, according to art.155 of la Charte de la langue française: “ Le ministre de la Langue française a pour mission de promouvoir, de valoriser et de protéger la langue française et son statut ainsi que de favoriser l’établissement et le maintien de conditions porteuses d’avenir pour celle-ci.”: https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/lc/C-11

  4. The Law on the Official and Common Language of Quebec was amended and came into force on 1 June 2022, see: https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/legis/loisa/lq-2022-c-14/derniere/lq-2022-c-14.html

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  1. ULR 4487—CRDP—Centre de recherche Droits et perspectives du droit, University of Lille, Équipe René Demogue, Lille, France

    Rafif Zarea & Anne Wagner

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Zarea, R., Wagner, A. Advancing Gender Neutrality: The Evolution of Feminized and Neutral Legal Terminology. Int J Semiot Law (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-024-10144-0

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