Feminineneutral

Feminineneutral is a term used in linguistics and gender studies to describe practices and ideologies that seek to balance or foreground feminine markers within a language with the aim of reducing gender bias and increasing representation. The term may appear in discussions of language reform, feminist linguistics, and inclusive communication. It is not a codified standard, but a descriptive label for a family of approaches.

In languages with grammatical gender, proponents of feminineneutral may advocate for using feminine forms or endings in parallel with masculine forms to signal women's presence in professions or roles, or to craft gender-inclusive terms that do not default to masculine. In pronoun usage, they may encourage the explicit use of feminine pronouns when appropriate or feasible, while also developing non-binary options. The aim is to avoid a male default without erasing other identities.

The concept has supporters and critics. Proponents argue that feminineneutral practice can increase visibility of women and provide more accurate social representation. Critics contend that it can cause ambiguity, complicate grammar, or clash with established norms. Debates often intersect with broader discussions of gender-neutral language, political correctness, and regional linguistic traditions.

See also: gender-neutral language, inclusive language, feminist linguistics, grammatical gender.