Navigating Gender Neutrality in French: Challenges and Conventions in a French Immersion Setting

French, a language rich in tradition and culture, presents unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to gender neutrality. With efforts and discussions around non-binary identities and inclusive language, it's important to explore how the French language handles these concepts. This article delves into the complexities of singular pronouns, the use of plurals in French, and the growing awareness of gender-neutral language within the French immersion setting.

Understanding Gender Neutrality in French

The concept of singular gender neutrality in French is not immediately apparent due to the language's inherent bias towards the masculine. However, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current practices and potential future developments in this area.

Adapting French Grammar for Inclusivity

For individuals attending a French immersion school and advocating for singular they, there are several approaches that can be considered:

Pluralization as a Solution

One common practice among speakers of French is the use of plural pronouns. For instance, the plural forms ils (they, male) and elles (they, female) are widely used to convey a gender-neutral meaning. However, this approach is not without its challenges. Simply using plurals doesn't necessarily solve the issue, as it might not address the core problem of singularity and can lead to confusion.

The Neutral Term "On"

Another option is the curious plural pronoun on. This term, which can refer to a group of people or a general third person, can be used as a gender-neutral alternative. However, as on can also mean "one" or "unknown individuals," its use can lead to misunderstanding if not carefully employed.

Challenges and Traditions in French Grammar

The Académie fran?aise, a venerable institution founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635, holds the final say on the rules of French grammar and spelling. Graduate immersion students often assume they can adapt these rules according to their personal pronoun preferences, but this is not the case. The Académie is conservative in nature, and altering pronoun usage would require substantial changes and social acceptance.

Adaptive Linguistic Practices

Efforts to adapt French grammar for gender inclusivity are ongoing. Some attempts include:

Gender-Neutral Language

Adapting adjectives and other parts of speech to be gender-neutral by using the suffix -en (such as enfant meaning "child") as a non-binary alternative can be considered. For example, if we use the phrase "someone has been bitten," a gender-neutral approach might look like:

For the masculine: Il a été mordu For the feminine: Elle a été mordue For the gender-neutral: Quelquun a été mordu

In this example, the adjective mordu changes form based on the gender of the subject, but quelquun (someone) remains unmarked. This shows that the default in French is the masculine, and attempts to neutralize this tend to use the masculine form.

Current Practices and Recommendations

While efforts to achieve true gender neutrality in French are ongoing, it is essential to understand the current practices:

Use plural forms (ils or elles) if you want to convey a gender-neutral meaning in your speech or writing. Consider on as a gender-neutral option, but use it cautiously as it can be interpreted as anonymity or vagueness. Avoid making extensive changes to the language without broader social and institutional support.

For those in French immersion settings, discussions with teachers and classmates about preferred pronouns can help foster an inclusive environment. It's crucial to understand that these changes require time and societal acceptance, and therefore it might be more effective to propose gradual, respectful adaptations.

Further Reading

The Académie fran?aise's website (in French and sometimes in English) offers valuable insights into the rules of French grammar. In particular, the section on neologisms and anglicisms can provide additional context and resources for those interested in the evolving language.

Here, the French immersion setting in a French-speaking context becomes a fascinating ground for experimenting with and discussing issues of gender inclusivity. While changes in linguistic practices may not be immediate, the dialogues and debates that arise can contribute to a more inclusive and open-minded linguistic community.