Drei Argumente gegen das Gendern | deep und deutlich

Summary

The video script discusses the challenges and potential failure of implementing gender-neutral language, or 'Gendern', in the German language. It highlights that the concept is tied to simple grammatical rules, which can become complex when applied to cases like the genitive singular and accusative plural. The speaker argues that the adoption of gender-neutral language may be a luxury, considering the difficulties faced by those learning German as a second language, as well as individuals with dyslexia or reading difficulties. They suggest that about 10% of the population in Germany struggles with language acquisition, and these individuals might fall behind with the introduction of gender-neutral terms. The speaker proposes a radical solution of redefining words to be gender-neutral, drawing parallels with how the meaning of words like 'gay' has evolved over time. They also touch upon the historical gendering of job titles and suggest that these could be simplified to be gender-neutral. The speaker acknowledges that public opinion is divided, with 60-70% of people surveyed being against or indifferent to the concept of gender-neutral language. They attribute this to the perception that there are more pressing issues to address, such as healthcare and financial concerns, which can lead to frustration when gender-neutral language is prioritized in public discourse.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the challenges of implementing gender-neutral language in German, which is tied to complex grammatical rules.
• 📉 The use of gender-neutral language could potentially be a barrier for people with a migration background learning German, as it adds another layer of complexity to the language.
• 👥 Approximately ten percent of the German population struggles with language learning due to dyslexia and related issues, which gender-neutral language could exacerbate.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that a comprehensive spelling reform might be needed to accommodate gender-neutral language, which is currently very complicated to implement.
• 🌟 A personal plea is made for redefining the connotations of words to be more inclusive, similar to how the word 'gay' evolved in meaning in English.
• 🏷 The grammatical gender of nouns like 'the table' or 'the vase' does not correspond to real-life gender, and the same logic could apply to job titles.
• 🔄 Historically, female job titles were often derived from male titles (e.g., Müller to Müllerin), and the speaker questions why these cannot simply be unified to be gender-neutral.
• 📊 Surveys indicate that 60-70% of people might not be in favor of or are against gender-neutral language, which the speaker perceives as a resistance to change.
• 💭 There is a belief that many people view gender-neutral language as unnecessary, as they are preoccupied with more pressing issues in their lives.
• 🏠 For individuals struggling with basic needs like paying rent and heating costs or accessing healthcare, the focus on gender-neutral language may seem trivial and frustrating.
• 📺 The speaker encourages the audience to watch other guests' talks on the topic, available in the ARD Mediathek.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that the concept of 'Gender' might fail?

The speaker suggests that 'Gender' might fail because it is simply attached to basic grammatical rules, which can be complex and difficult for people with language backgrounds different from German, as well as for those with reading and writing difficulties like dyslexia.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the complexity of gender in the German language?

The speaker uses the example of the genitive singular and accusative plural, such as 'das Buch des Schülers' (the book of the student), and how it becomes 'Das Buch des/der Schülers*in' to include a female student, which adds complexity.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of 'Gender' in the German language?

The speaker believes that 'Gender' might be a luxury that society can afford only if it doesn't exclude or complicate the language learning process for people with migration backgrounds, dyslexia, or other language learning difficulties.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the current gender system in the German language?

The speaker proposes a renotation of words, similar to how the word 'gay' in English evolved from meaning 'happy' to representing the LGBTQ+ community, and suggests that job titles could also be renotated to be gender-neutral.

Why does the speaker think that the current gender system might be emotionally charged for some people?

The speaker believes that the emotional charge comes from the perception that while there are pressing issues like healthcare and living costs, the focus on gender might seem unnecessary and thus provoke anger or frustration among those facing more immediate concerns.

What is the speaker's opinion on the general public's stance towards the gender system in the German language?

The speaker feels that a significant portion of the public, around 60-70 percent, is not in favor of or is against the gender system, viewing it as an unnecessary complication.

What does the speaker imply about the priorities of people facing severe problems?

The speaker implies that people facing severe problems, such as paying for heating and rent or accessing healthcare, might prioritize these issues over language reform, leading to a perception that gender concerns are less important.

How does the speaker relate the historical context of job titles to the current gender system?

The speaker points out that female job titles often emerged from a dependency on male titles (e.g., Müller for a male miller and Müllerin for his wife), suggesting that these titles should be renotated to be gender-neutral, like simply 'Müller' for both male and female.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of considering the broader perspective when discussing language reform?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering the broader perspective, acknowledging that current surveys indicate a majority of people are against language reform, possibly due to other pressing concerns in their lives.

Why does the speaker mention the need for a comprehensive spelling reform?

The speaker mentions the need for a comprehensive spelling reform to simplify the language and make it more accessible, but acknowledges that implementing such a reform, especially with the current gender system, would be very complicated.

What is the speaker's suggestion for future language inclusivity?

The speaker suggests that future language inclusivity could be achieved by renotating words to be gender-neutral, thus making the language more accessible and less complex for everyone, regardless of their background or difficulties with language learning.

How does the speaker address the emotional aspect of the debate on gender in the German language?

The speaker acknowledges the emotional aspect of the debate by recognizing that people's priorities and feelings are influenced by their personal struggles and the societal issues they face, which might make the focus on gender seem less relevant to some.