Gender-Sensitive Language
There are many different genders.
All genders are important.
When we speak, we sometimes do not
address all genders.
We often only use the masculine gender.
But we want to address all genders.
Therefore, we use gender-sensitive language
on the website of the University of Mannheim.
Sensitive means
that we respect other people.
When we use gender-sensitive language,
we respect people with other genders.
There are not only men and women. There are many other genders.
Therefore, we use gender-neutral pronouns.
Pronouns are words.
We can use them instead of a person’s name. Like he or she.
If we do not know someone’s pronouns, we do not say he does or she does.
We say they do. We do not say his or her. We say their.
This means everybody is included:
- men,
- women,
- and other genders.
We also use gender-neutral language
on our website.
For example, we say first-year students
- instead of freshmen.
Using gender-neutral language means
everybody is included:
- men,
- women,
- and other genders.
