Gender is a verb - Sonja Knecht
Channel: GRANSHAN Conference
Date: 2022-10-05

In her talk, Sonja will address the most controversial linguistic issue in German-speaking countries. Increasingly since about two or three years ago, we face a heated debate about if and how to respond to the fact that we have (at least) two genders in our society.

We all speak and act in some way, we all must handle it: in every team, school, among friends, in whatever audience, the gender issue plays a role. It affects every bit of our spoken and written language. In times of questioning identities and role models, at the same with a broad consent for inclusion, there is no getting out: ‘gendering’ has become a crucial factor in our appearance, for the image of a brand or company, everywhere.

Sonja will translate the German debate. She shares typographical and linguistic possibilities for gender-sensitive texts — some being useful for English, and maybe more language systems? Learn about current practices in German-speaking institutions, and the public. Sorting things out, like with her clients, Sonja helps us to develop a clear attitude towards the currently so explosive language topic — and practicable, coherent decisions (in our verbal and visual design) of what we want to say.

You are kindly invited to add to Sonja’s talk. She would like to reflect with the Granshan audience. What are your ‘gendering’ experiences?