Gendered language in Ireland
In Ireland, gender identity is protected under the Gender Recognition Act of 2015, which allows individuals to legally change their gender without medical intervention. However, there is ongoing debate around the inclusion of non-binary individuals and the use of gendered language in the Irish language.
The Irish language has a complex system of grammatical gender, with every noun having a designated gender. However, the use of gendered language in Irish can be a contentious issue, particularly with regards to the inclusion of non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals.
Traditionally, the Irish language has only two genders, masculine and feminine, which has led to the exclusion of non-binary individuals. However, efforts are being made to promote gender inclusivity in the language. For example, there are proposals to introduce a new gender-neutral pronoun, which would be used alongside the existing masculine and feminine pronouns.
Furthermore, there are ongoing discussions around the use of gendered job titles and honorifics. For instance, the word “bean” traditionally refers to a married woman, while “cailín” is used for an unmarried girl or young woman. Some have suggested using gender-neutral alternatives such as “duine” (person) instead of “bean” and “óg” (young) instead of “cailín”.
Overall, the use of gendered language in Irish is a complex and evolving issue, and efforts are being made to promote gender inclusivity and respect for non-binary individuals.