Inclusive Language

Gender-neutral language in translation is an increasingly important consideration as societies become more aware of gender diversity and the need for inclusivity. As a professional translator, the implementation of gender-neutral language is a conscious and deliberate part of my work to ensure that translations are not only accurate but also respectful and inclusive of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.

In the translation industry, gender-neutral language involves the use of terms that avoid bias towards a particular sex or social gender. This is crucial because language often reflects and perpetuates the social norms of its culture, which has traditionally been gendered. Translators play a key role in either reinforcing or challenging these norms through their work.

The adoption of gender-neutral language in translations requires several strategies. Firstly, understanding the cultural context of both the source and target languages is essential. Some languages have grammatical gender and do not offer straightforward gender-neutral options. In such cases, finding a neutral alternative frequently requires creativity and deep linguistic knowledge.

Secondly, knowing the audience and the purpose of the text can guide the use of gender-neutral language. For instance, for a corporate document intended for an international audience, it might be necessary to use a more formal level of gender-neutral language compared to a casual blog post.

Thirdly, staying updated with the evolving language guidelines and preferences is vital. Many organizations and style guides now include recommendations for gender-neutral language usage, which can be incredibly helpful.

Considering gender-neutral language is not just a matter of political correctness; it is a commitment to linguistic excellence and social responsibility. As a translator, I am dedicated to producing translations that acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of human experience, and I am proud to contribute to a more inclusive world through my work.

The Russian language poses notable challenges for translators striving to use gender-neutral language due to its grammatically gendered structure and the sociocultural context that influences language use.

In Russian, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and past tense verbs are gendered, which means they change their form depending on the gender of the subject. This grammatical feature requires a translator to make gender decisions even when the source text aims to be gender-neutral. Often, the default in Russian is to use the masculine form, which can inadvertently exclude or misrepresent non-male subjects.

The difficulty is not solely linguistic but also cultural. Russia's societal norms have historically been patriarchal, with a language that reflects these values. For instance, many job titles are gendered, and the default tends to be masculine, which can invisibilize women's and non-binary individuals' participation in certain professions or roles.

Translators face the task of navigating these linguistic constraints while trying to maintain the inclusivity of the source text. The Russian language currently has limited resources for gender-neutral alternatives, making it a complex endeavour to find suitable translations that avoid gender specification. Some approaches include using the plural form, which in Russian is gender-neutral, or employing job titles without gender markings, though this can sometimes lead to awkward or unnatural phrasing.

There are also socio-political considerations. While there is a growing awareness and discussion in Russia around gender issues, this is still a sensitive topic, and the societal acceptance of non-binary or gender-neutral concepts varies. Translators must be culturally sensitive and aware of the potential impact of their choices on the target audience.

Innovative efforts are being made by some translators and activists to adapt the language, introducing and promoting new ways to express gender neutrality. This includes advocating for language reform or creating new terms that could be adopted into everyday use. However, such changes take time to be accepted and integrated into common parlance.

Translating into Russian with gender neutrality in mind is therefore a delicate balancing act that requires not only linguistic skill and creativity but also a profound understanding of cultural nuances and the evolving discourse on gender inclusivity. Translators must often work with clients to educate them about the importance of gender-neutral language and find the best possible compromise between accuracy, inclusivity, and readability.

When translating gender-neutral language into Russian, one often encounters concepts that cannot be directly translated because Russian lacks non-gendered equivalents for many terms. This limitation means that translators must resort to descriptive phrases to convey the same meaning without gender specification.

For example, the English singular "they" as a pronoun for a person who does not identify as male or female does not have a direct equivalent in Russian. To translate sentences that use "they" in this way, one must restructure the sentence or use descriptions such as "the person" (человек) or "the individual" (индивид), which are gender-neutral in Russian.

Another example is the use of gender-neutral job titles. In English, "firefighter" is used instead of "fireman" or "firewoman" to avoid gender specification. However, in Russian, the word for firefighter is gendered (пожарный for masculine, пожарная for feminine). Translators might have to use a descriptive phrase like "person working in fire extinguishing" (человек, работающий на тушении пожаров), which is unwieldy and not commonly used in everyday language.

Titles and professions particularly highlight these difficulties. For instance, the term "chairperson" instead of "chairman" or "chairwoman" is easily rendered in Russian as председатель without specifying gender, but it traditionally implies masculine gender. To avoid this implication, one might use a circumlocution such as "the person who leads the meeting" (лицо, ведущее собрание).

Similarly, translating terms like "server" or "flight attendant," which have been adopted in English to replace "waitress/waiter" and "stewardess/steward," respectively, involves a more descriptive approach in Russian. "Server" could be rendered as "the person serving at the table" (человек, обслуживающий за столом), and "flight attendant" could become "a member of the cabin crew" (член экипажа кабины).

These translations can become quite cumbersome and may not always be suitable for fluid, natural-sounding language. As a result, translators must not only be skilled in the mechanics of language but also in inventively rephrasing and restructuring content to maintain both the meaning and the gender-neutral intent of the source text, while ensuring that the translation is still idiomatic and understandable to the Russian-speaking audience.

Feminitives, or feminine grammatical constructions of job titles and professions in Russian, have been a topic of much debate and discrimination within Russian society. While the Russian language inherently includes feminine forms of many nouns and adjectives, the use of feminitives for professional titles has been contentious.

The traditional approach in Russian is to use the masculine form as the default for job titles, regardless of the gender of the individual holding the position. When feminitive forms are used, they are often met with resistance and can be perceived as either unnecessary political correctness or as diminishing the professionalism of the role. For example, a female doctor (врач) might be referred to using the masculine form rather than the feminitive врачиха, as the latter can sometimes carry a derogatory connotation or be seen as informal and less serious.

This discrimination against feminitives is rooted in the patriarchal nature of Russian society where masculine forms are considered the norm and carry more prestige. The use of feminitives can also inadvertently draw attention to the gender of the professional rather than their qualifications, leading to a potential for gender bias and reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Moreover, the official recognition of feminitives is inconsistent. While some feminitive forms are widely accepted and used without controversy, others are not recognized by official regulatory bodies such as the Russian Language Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This lack of official support perpetuates the discriminatory view that feminitives are less legitimate than their masculine counterparts.

Feminitives can also be a site of linguistic discrimination in the workplace. Women using feminitive titles might face less respect and be taken less seriously than if they were to use the masculine form. This linguistic discrimination reflects broader gender inequalities in the workplace and society.

Activists and feminist groups have been pushing for the wider acceptance and use of feminitives to promote gender equality in language. They argue that language shapes thought and that the normalization of feminitives could have a positive impact on the perception of women in professional roles, contributing to the dismantling of gender biases.

In conclusion, discrimination against feminitive constructions in Russian society is a reflection of deeper societal norms and gender biases. While there is a growing movement to promote the use of feminitives, significant resistance remains. The debate over feminitives is an ongoing part of the larger discussion on gender equality and the role of language in shaping social attitudes.