Ciutadàciutadana

Ciutadàciutadana is a gender-inclusive form that has appeared in Catalan-language discussions as a way to refer to citizens without specifying gender. It combines the masculine ciutadà and the feminine ciutadana into a single token, aiming to encode both genders in one word. The construction is not part of standard Catalan orthography and is primarily found in theoretical, advocacy, or sociolinguistic contexts.

Usage and status: In everyday Catalan writing, speakers and writers typically address gender inclusion by using parallel forms (ciutadans i ciutadanes) or by employing related terms such as ciutadania to discuss citizenship as a concept. Ciutadàciutadana is generally described as experimental or illustrative rather than a recommended or widely accepted form. It may be used to discuss inclusive-writing strategies or to provoke discussion about orthography, readability, and gender bias.

Orthography and reception: The form is not recognized by official Catalan language authorities as standard. Critics argue that concatenating the two gendered forms can hinder readability and consistency with established norms, while proponents view it as a tangible reminder of gender inclusivity in language. Most mainstream usage favors established approaches—such as using both gendered forms together (ciutadans i ciutadanes) or choosing context-appropriate alternatives like ciutadania—rather than adopting a single concatenated token.

See also: Gender-neutral language in Catalan, Catalan language, Gender in language.