StellvertreterStellvertreterin

StellvertreterStellvertreterin is a coined German term that concatenates the masculine noun Stellvertreter with the feminine form Stellvertreterin to create a single, gender-inclusive noun. The construction is used primarily in discussions of inclusive language to indicate that the deputy or substitute role encompasses all genders.

Formation and orthography: The form may appear with no space and capitalized as StellvertreterStellvertreterin, echoing a common technique in German to mark both masculine and feminine forms within one word. However, it is nonstandard and not listed in standard dictionaries or official style guides. More widely used variants include Stellvertreter/Stellvertreterin with a slash or StellvertreterIn (Binnen-I) to signal inclusivity; sometimes Stellvertreterinnen und Stellvertreter is used for explicit plural.

Usage: The term is mostly found in academic, linguistic, or advocacy contexts rather than in formal governmental or corporate documentation. It is intended to acknowledge the gender diversity of officeholders, while also preserving a compact job title in text; in practice, many writers prefer explicit paired forms or gender-neutral alternatives.

Reception: Opinions diverge. Supporters view it as a step toward inclusive language and visibility of women and non-binary people in leadership roles. Critics argue that concatenation reduces readability, misaligns with orthographic standards, or unnecessarily complicates typography.

See also: German gender-inclusive language; Binnen-I; gender-inclusive forms; Stellvertreter and Stellvertreterin.