nosotrosnosotras

Nosotrosnosotras is a neologism used in discussions of gender-inclusive language in Spanish. It combines the masculine plural nosotros with the feminine plural nosotras into a single form in order to signal inclusivity of all genders in the first-person plural. The construction is not part of standard Spanish grammar and is typically found in sociolinguistic writing, feminist discourse, and online or activist contexts.

Usage and purpose

The term is used to acknowledge both masculine and feminine identities within a group, especially in environments committed to gender diversity. It may appear as a shorthand in informal writing or as a didactic example in analyses of inclusive language. Because it is nonstandard, speakers and writers who use it often rely on it in parenthetical or illustrative passages rather than in formal texts.

Related approaches

Nosotrosnosotras sits alongside other strategies for gender-inclusive language, such as writing “nosotros y nosotras” to explicitly name both forms, or adopting alternatives like “nosotres” or “nosotrxs.” These approaches reflect broader debates about how to express gender in Spanish without marginalizing any group.

Reception and criticism

As a nonstandard form, nosotrosnosotras receives mixed reception. Proponents view it as a simple, visible marker of inclusivity, while critics argue that it can be awkward, confusing, or unnecessary in many contexts. Language academies generally do not recognize it as an established form, favoring conventional plural constructions or repetition to achieve inclusivity.

Etymology

The term is a portmanteau, blending “nosotros” and “nosotras” to foreground both gendered forms in a single expression.