(Neo-)Pronouns
In German, the ⇒ binary gender system is also linguistically reflected in the use of binary pronouns. "Sie"/"ihr" or "er"/"sein" are the common pronouns that are supposed to represent the gender of the person they stand for. Nevertheless, all people are allowed to decide for themselves which pronouns they want to be addressed with.
Some people change the pronouns they wish to be addressed with throughout their lives or prefer multiple pronouns, for example, because they are trans and/or intersex and/or ⇒ non-binary. It is important to use a person's preferred pronouns. When in doubt, it is helpful to politely ask for the correct pronouns.
Neopronouns refer to neologisms that bypass binary pronouns such as "she" or "he." Examples include the Swedish pronoun "hen," which is gender-neutral for all people, the English "they/them" pronouns, and also German variants such as "sier," "sie*er," "si_er," "xier," etc. Alternatively, the pronoun can be omitted and replaced with the name or the first letter of the name ("I'm going to ask A if A wants to come."/"I like A's shoes."). However, the possibilities of alternative pronouns are not exhausted with these examples (e.g. see AK ProNa, p. 33).
Sources (in German)
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Alexander, Katharina (2018): 'Speaking can change the world' - Lann Hornscheidt wants a pronoun for everyone". In: Ze.tt. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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AK ProNa (2015): My name, my pronoun. 1st edition. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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Aschenbrenner, Sophie; Hornstein, René_Rain (2020): Non-binary people, what do you want to be called? In: Süddeutsche Zeitung. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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ContraPoints (2018): Pronouns. Youtube. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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Köhler, Robin (2019): What is the best way to talk to non-binarys? In: Pulse. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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Practice with Pronouns. English practice platform. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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Rainbow portal (n.d.). Meeting trans* people with respect and solidarity. Last accessed 16.04.2020.
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Rainbow portal (n.d.). Gender identities beyond male and female. Last accessed 16.04.2020.
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AG Feministisch Sprachhandeln der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2014/2015):What to do? Language action - but how? Action instead of inaction! 2nd edition. Last accessed 17.04.2025.
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