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What's the point of gendered words in certain languages? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by TheDarkKnight@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I know a lot of languages have some aspects that probably seem a bit strange to non-native speakers…in the case of gendered words is there a point other than “just the way its always been” that explains it a bit better?

I don’t have gendered words in my native language, and from the outside looking in I’m not sure what gendered words actually provide in terms of context? Is there more to it that I’m not quite following?

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[-] bouh@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

There is some debate in France about gendered profession names. Conservative want them removed. Feminists are asking for a neutral form. Regular language usually has gender for them.

In terms of utility, it adds information in a tight way. When you use the gendered name, you add the information about the gender of the person. When there is a neutral form, you can also choose to not give this information.

Obviously when your language doesn't give you this possibility it's harder to get used to it. From my perspective I'm sometimes put off by the lack of specificity and accuracy, or by the ambiguity of the English language.

[-] TheDarkKnight@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

It makes some sense for people-related words like a person’s’ occupation. Why are objects gendered though?

[-] bouh@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

This I don't know but I would suspect it's a mix of poetry, usage, and the Latin root, at least in French.

this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023

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