The use of gender-neutral language has been prohibited in the state administration of Hesse, following the recent ban in Bavaria. Hesse’s Minister President, Boris Rhein, announced that the use of symbols such as the colon, asterisk, or underscore to indicate gender neutrality will no longer be allowed. The decision was made to promote a uniform and understandable language in public administration. This new directive aims to define a gender-sensitive and clear language for all departments in the state administration. The regulation is based on the rules of the Council for German Orthography, which recently rejected the inclusion of gender-specific symbols in the official German spelling rules.
According to the new directive, gender-sensitive language can be achieved by mentioning both the female and male forms, with the feminine form taking precedence. Alternatively, gender-neutral terms that do not explicitly specify gender can also be used. For example, the term “Fachkräfte” (professionals) can be used. The decision to implement this language policy was outlined in the coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD parties in Hesse. The agreement states that gender-specific symbols should be avoided in public administration, schools, universities, and other state institutions, aligning with the guidelines of the Council for German Orthography.
The prohibition of gender-specific language in Hesse’s state administration comes shortly after a similar ban was implemented in Bavaria. The use of symbols such as the gender star, colon, and Binnen-I has been deemed unnecessary and confusing. The goal of these bans is to ensure that communication in public administration is clear and easily understood by all citizens. While some may argue that gender-neutral language is important for inclusivity, others believe that using traditional gendered language is more efficient and effective in communication.
The decision to prohibit gender-neutral language in Hesse has sparked debate among politicians, linguists, and the general public. Critics argue that the ban is a step backward in terms of promoting gender equality and inclusivity. They believe that using gender-neutral language is a way to acknowledge and respect all gender identities. However, supporters of the ban argue that maintaining traditional language norms is essential for effective communication and clarity in public administration.
Overall, the ban on gender-specific language in Hesse’s state administration reflects a broader debate on language and gender equality in German society. While some advocate for gender-neutral language as a way to promote inclusivity, others believe that traditional language norms should be preserved for clarity and efficiency in communication. The decision to implement this ban aligns with the guidelines of the Council for German Orthography and the coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD parties in Hesse. It remains to be seen how this directive will be received and implemented in practice by the state administration.
