geschlechtsneutraler

Geschlechtsneutraler is an adjective used in German to describe terms, formulations, or representations that do not express or imply a specific gender. Derived from geschlecht (gender) and neutral, it is inflected like other adjectives: ein geschlechtsneutraler Begriff, eine geschlechtsneutrale Formulierung, das geschlechtsneutrale Wort. The noun form Geschlechtsneutralität exists to denote the quality itself.

In linguistic and stylistic contexts, geschlechtsneutral language aims to avoid gender-specific references and to treat all genders equally. This often involves using gender-neutral terms, rephrasing sentences, or adopting compound nouns that do not reveal gender. Common examples include “Mitarbeitende” instead of “Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter” and “Studierende” instead of “Studenten” or “Studentinnen und Studenten.” Such usages are described as geschlechtsneutraler Sprachgebrauch or geschlechtsneutrale Formulierungen and are part of broader discussions about inclusive language.

Relation to related concepts is central. Geschlechtsneutralheit intersects with geschlechtergerechte Sprache (gender-inclusive or gender-equal language), which seeks to balance inclusion with clarity. Debates around geschlechtsneutraler Sprache cover readability, cultural tradition, and political or ideological implications, with varying acceptance across institutions, media, and the public. Some style guides and authorities (for example, journals, universities, or government bodies) advocate for gender-neutral terms in official communication, while others emphasize alternative strategies like explicit gender pairs or context-dependent language.

In practice, the term geschlechtsneutraler highlights the aim to minimize gender marking in language, contributing to more inclusive representation of people in texts.