ABSTRACT
This chapter delves into the challenges and complexities surrounding the implementation of gender-fair language in international organizations, with a specific focus on the role of translation sections. While international organizations strive for inclusivity and gender equality in their communications, linguistic biases, and collective illusions built upon stereotypes on women often persist. Even though empirical evidence attests to the effectiveness of specific linguistic strategies in the efforts to counter those stereotypes, it is argued that national cultures supporting standard language ideologies and opposing gender-fair language have an impact on how translators react to gender-fair language policies. Using one international organization as a case study, interviews with professionals in translation sections allow for the authors to explore the biases against gender-fair language among translators and other agents in the organization. The study further focuses on how translators’ actions in this specific organization configure them as risk takers, exposing themselves to attract attention and become the unofficial spokespeople of the institution’s gender-fair language policy.
