Can translators work with the public to increase acceptance of gender-fair language?

What is it about?

The comic Morgane was translated from French into Spanish using binary and non-binary gender-fair language. Then four focus groups were held. Two groups were briefed about the results of behavioral studies analyzing the effects of gender-fair language and then were asked to read a binary and a non-binary inclusive translation respectively. The other two groups were asked to read the translation (a binary and a non-binary inclusive translation respectively) with no previous briefing. They were then guided to discuss the translation. Whereas those groups who had been briefed showed a higher acceptance of gender-fair language, the binary inclusive language receive comparatively harsher assessments. Based on the arguments used by the participants and the Spanish social discourse on gender-fair language led by language institutions, the bearing of the socially distributed fallacies against female gendered language is highlighted as an obstacle for inclusive translation that can be countered by the dissemination of the results of scholarly work.

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Photo by Keren Fedida on Unsplash

Photo by Keren Fedida on Unsplash

Why is it important?

There is widespread rejection against the use of gender-fair language in the languages spoken in Spain, based on fallacies disseminated by language institutions. The article shows how the public opinion can provide increased support for the actions necessary to reach a more equitable society if the scholarly work on the impact of gendered language on behavior is widely disseminated.