Capturing socially motivated linguistic change: how the use of gender-fair language affects support for social initiatives in Austria and Poland.

ABSTRACT: Gender-fair language consists of the symmetric linguistic treatment of women and men instead of using masculine forms as generics. In this study, we examine how the use of gender-fair language affects readers' support for social initiatives in Poland and Austria. While gender-fair language is relatively novel in Poland, it is well established in Austria. This difference may lead to different perceptions of gender-fair usage in these speech communities. Two studies conducted in Poland investigate whether the evaluation of social initiatives (Study 1: quotas for women on election lists; Study 2: support for women students or students from countries troubled by war) is affected by how female proponents (lawyers, psychologists, sociologists, and academics) are referred to, with masculine forms

SUBMITTER: Formanowicz MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4628104 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature