iels

Iels is a gender-inclusive pronoun used in French to refer to a person or group who does not identify as strictly male or female, or when the gender is unknown. The form is a combination of il and elle; the singular pronoun is iel, and the plural is iels. In sentences, verbs are conjugated as with other third-person pronouns: iel est, iels sont, and so on. For example: “Iel est professeur,” or “Iels parlent français.”

Origins and usage context: Iels emerged in Francophone LGBTQ+ and feminist communities in the early 21st century and have since appeared in online discourse, activist writing, and some academic and media contexts. It is one of several approaches to inclusive language in French and is not universally adopted. The degree of acceptance varies by country, institution, and individual preference. Some publishers, universities, and language guides have acknowledged iel in informal contexts or discussions of inclusive language, while others remain cautious or do not recognize it as standard French.

Reception and considerations: Supporters view iels as a practical solution to include nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people and to reduce gender-binary assumptions in language. Critics raise concerns about linguistic coherence, consistency with traditional French grammar, and the potential for confusion, especially for learners. Because French pronouns and agreement depend on gender, the use of iels often involves broader stylistic choices, such as adopting gender-neutral possessives or rephrasing to avoid gendered references. Overall, iels reflects ongoing debates about gender and language in contemporary French.