Due to subscription cancellations: German newspaper falls back on gender language

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The colon and asterisk will disappear from the print edition of the Berlin newspaper “Tagesspiegel”. In any case, as a tool for gender-neutral language use. Bild reports this.

A corresponding circular was sent to employees on Monday. Online reporting will not be affected for the time being.

‘Politicians’, ‘students’ are unpopular

It is said that word creations such as ‘politicians’ or ‘students’ were not well received by readers. Gender language was often the cause of complaints and was also repeatedly given as a reason for canceling subscriptions.

The heads of the “Tagesspiegel” had given their editorial staff guidelines for “gender-equitable language use” about three years ago. “Many people today no longer feel that they are referred to by the generic masculine,” it was said at the time. Authors were then free to use asterisks and colons in most of their texts.

Research shows that there is rejection

Gender is controversial in Germany. A survey commissioned by ‘Bild’ last summer showed: 52 percent reject gender language. Only 18 percent are in favor. 24 percent don’t care about gender, while 4 percent don’t even know what it’s about.

A study commissioned by “20 Minutes” and Tamedia last spring revealed similar results. Accordingly, 76 percent believe the gender debate is unimportant. A large proportion (68 percent) reject the use of gender-appropriate language, both in public and in the workplace. In the private sector, 75 percent are against. (no)

Source: Blick