The following guidelines take into consideration
recommendations from research on gender-sensitive language as well as the
background of atingi learners and can help you when creating or translating digital learning content.
English
When referring to people in general or any content that isn’t gender-specific, neutral pronouns and words should be used. This means that instead of “she/her” or “he/him”, the more inclusive term “they/them” is to be preferred. In some cases, it might also be possible to omit the pronoun altogether or use a non-personal pronoun (e.g., “a”, “the”).
While most nouns in the English language are gender neutral by default, others are still gender specific. Here, the gender-neutral alternative should be used. Most importantly, the use of the masculine gender as ‘generic’ should be avoided. Using masculine pronouns or expressions containing “man” to refer to all genders is a discriminating and exclusive convention, that is long outdated.
Do
Gender neutral pronouns: The learner will find their certificate at the end of the course.
Gender-neutral alternatives: The content of this course is directed at firefighters.
Don’t
Gender specific pronouns/generic masculinum: The learner will find his certificate at the end of the course.
Gender-specific nouns: The content of this course is directed at firemen.
In many cases, such as emails, it might also make sense to use the imperative whenever possible. Sentences like “You can find your certificate here” don’t imply any gender and additionally make the learning experience more personalized, because the learner feels like they are being addressed directly.
Another strategy to make language more neutral can be the use of the passive. Hereby, the object becomes the focus of the sentence, and no personal pronouns are needed. However, passive constructions are more complex than for example imperative sentences. Therefore, using the passive should be avoided in communication that reaches learners, because their language and reading skill level might vary. In communication with partners, passive constructions might sometimes be helpful.
Depending on the context
Use of imperative: You can enter the course here!
Use of passive: The document should be sent back to me.
French
Instead of using the masculine gender specific/plural forms, we recommend using gender neutral nouns (in French “termes épicènes”). When not possible, gender-neutral alternatives should be used. Also, the language that is used shouldn’t imply or reinforce stereotypes.
Another strategy is to mention the feminine and masculine words by alphabetical order (e.g. “celles et ceux”, “les collaboratrices et collaborateurs”). This form is the easiest to read aloud and the one considered in speeches or video/sound recordings.
Do
Gender-neutral nouns and related pronouns: personnes, responsables, membres, fonctionnaires, bénéficiaires, etc.
Use both feminine and masculine versions in alphabetical order: les apprenantes et apprenants recevront un certificat de fin de cours.
Feminisation of professions and use of double forms instead of generic masculine nouns: les conseillers et conseillères de la GIZ.
Use the plural form : Talk about « les femmes » (instead of « la femme »).
Replace « homme » by « humain » : « droits humains » (« instead of droits de l’homme », except when this is part of a name, e.g. Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme.
Don’t
Gender specific pronouns/generic masculinum: l’étudiant trouvera son certificat à la fin du cours.
Gender-specific nouns: Le contenu de ce cours est destiné aux directeurs d’entreprise.
One strategy that is increasingly used is the “point médian” (also referred as “inclusive writing/écriture inclusive”). You can build it using this formula: root of the word (“racine du mot”) + masculine suffix (“suffixe masculine”) + midpoint (“point milieu”) + feminine suffix (“suffixe féminin). Add the final plural mark if necessary. This is only used in writing and therefore creates a difference between oral and written practices within a language. Please consider the recipients background before using this method as it could pose problems to people with low literacy.
The use of titles that imply a person’s gender (such as Mr., Ms.) is another important topic. In direct communication with our learners (e.g., via a help ticket), we don’t use titles and instead address the learner by their first name. We also avoid using “cher” or “chère” and use instead a generic salutation like “Bonjour”. When exchanging emails with partners who don’t state their pronouns in their signature, we can address them with their full name (e.g. Bonjour Marine Durant) or only their first name (e.g. Bonjour Marine) while using the formal way of addressing them (“vous”) and shouldn’t mention any title. It is of course also possible to address our partners with “M.” or “Mme” (e.g. Bonjour M. Durant).
Depending on the context
Use of direct form: Tu trouveras ton certificat sous l’onglet « mes certificats ».
***For translations***Please use the informal way of addressing the audience whenever the document is learner facing or has a mixed audience.
Spanish
Try to replace masculine nouns with inclusive nouns that do not hide or suggest the absence of women. If a neutral form doesn’t exist, the feminine and masculine articles and a single noun should be used. It is recommended to include the masculine and feminine form, whenever possible, e.g. “los usuarios y las usuarias” or “las y los jóvenes”. If you want to keep the text shorter you can use brackets at the end of the word, e.g. “compañero(ra)”.
Do
Include masculine and feminine form: los usuarios y las usuarias de atingi.
Use inclusive nouns: La comunidad científica ha publicado un reporte; La crisis afecta al personal.
Depending on the context
Use of brackets to make texts shorter: El/la compañero(ra).
Don’t
Don’t use gender-based stereotypes such as: Boys don’t cry “los hombres no lloran”; Housewives don’t work “las amas de casa no trabajan”.
Don’t use masculine nouns that suggest the absence of women: Los científicos han publicado un reporte; La crisis afecta a los empleados.
The use of the "at @" and the "asterisk *" are not considered linguistic characters by the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE), so their use in official documents is not recommended.
Recommended
If possible, replace a masculine noun with an indefinite pronoun such as: "quien"; "alguien"; "nadie"; "cualquiera"; "bastantes"; "tales"; "otros"; "nadie"; etc.
Substitute the verbs “ser” and “estar” with “tener” (e.g., ‘Tienen un compromiso con’ instead of ‘están comprometidos’).