We are ready for departure!
Be factually correct
(e.g., in quotes and legal documentation)
Be understandable and readable
Ensure that the focus is on the essentials
Mind the gap!
Gendered language should not sound complicated.
Special attention must be paid to different target groups and presentation of the text.
Rule: Use they/them.
Do:
A new business owner needs money to establish their business.
Don't:
A new business owner needs money to establish his business.
Do:
Everybody has to choose a career that suits them best.
Don't:
Everybody has to choose a career that suits him best.
Rule: Use the plural form to avoid he/she.
Do:
It is really challenging to work for perfectionists because they are never satisfied.
Don't:
It is really challenging to work for a perfectionist because he is never satisfied.
Rule: Avoid possessive articles.
Do:
An investor wants a good return on the/an investment.
OR
An investor wants a good return on investments.
Don't:
An investor wants a good return on his investment.
Rule: Use one/you.
Do:
To be a careful researcher, one has to check one’s data.
OR
To be a careful researcher, one has to check their data.
Don't:
A careful researcher has to check his data.
Do not refer to a group of people as “guys”. Do not address women as “girls”.
Avoid gendered terms in favor of neutral alternatives. For instance, use “server” instead of “waitress” and “businessperson” instead of “businessman.”
It is acceptable to use “they” as a singular pronoun.
Use the following words as modifiers, but never as nouns:
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender (never “transgendered”)
Trans
Queer
LGBT
Do not use these words in reference to LGBT individuals or communities:
Homosexual
Lifestyle
Preference
Do not use the term “same-sex” marriage, unless the distinction is relevant to what you are writing (avoid using the term “gay marriage”). At all other instances, use “marriage”.
Neutrale Begriffe: Publikum statt Zuschauer, Redepult statt Rednerpult, Team statt Mitarbeiter, “Sicht der Fachleute” statt “Aus Sicht der Experten”, Führungskräfte/ Leitung der XY-Abteilung statt Manager/Abteilungsleiter, Lehrkräfte statt Lehrer
Neutraler Plural: die Wahlberechtigten statt der Wähler, die Interessenten statt der Interessent
Partizip im Plural: Studierende statt Studenten, Teilnehmende statt Teilnehmer, Mitarbeitende statt Mitarbeiter, Forschende statt Forschern
Ausweichen auf andere Formulierungen: Statt Herausgeber: xy können wir auch “herausgegeben von: xy” sagen. Statt “Aus der Sicht der Ärzte” kann “aus ärztlicher oder medizinischer Sicht” werden.
Du hast noch keine geeignete Formulierung gefunden? Dann nutze das Wörterbuch.
Mind the gap!
Auf Folien gendern wir bevorzugt über die Sternchen(*)-Methode, z. B. Student*innen, Helfer*in, wenn sich keine wohlklingende neutrale Formulierung finden lässt. Auf diese Weise soll der Text insbesondere auf Folien kurz und prägnant bleiben.