Translating Gender Inclusive
Terms from English to French
Resource
English does not gender its nouns
Having words that are grammatically
nongendered can make it easier to
communicate in a gender-neutral manner.
French does gender its nouns
Having words that are grammatically
binary can make it harder to communicate
in a gender inclusive manner.
This guide shares dierent approaches that can promote the elimination of gendered forms
during communication between people. By eliminating these gendered forms, it reduces gender
discrimination since non-gendered terms represent all genders. Inclusive writing is crucial as it
serves to have non-sexist communication that encourages recognition of the diversity of gender
identities. This guide can be useful to the general population, but more specically to translators
who want to adopt a more inclusive language when translating from English to French.
When translating non-generic words from English to French, there are dierent approaches
you can take to make the translation inclusive which will be explained below. The use of these,
helps the contribution to gender equality.
The Median Point
The median point is a punctuation mark used in inclusive writing and it falls between the
masculine and feminine endings. The median point can be used to connect the masculine
and feminine versions of determinants, nouns, and adjectives. In other words, when this method
is used, both masculine and feminine endings are included in a single
word which makes it possible to highlight the feminine endings
in a text.
Tip:
To avoid binarity, it can be helpful to use the following
when referring to people:
• Their names
• Non-gendered titles
Resource - Translating Gender Inclusive Terms from English to French
The Median Point
Determinants:
Before (gendered)
• le or la
• son or sa
• ton or ta
After (gender inclusive)
• le·a
• son·a
• ton·a
Nouns:
Before (gendered)
• inrmier or inrmiere
• assistants or assistantes
• instructeur or instructrice
After (gender inclusive)
• inrmier·ière
• assistant·es or assistant·e·s
• instructeur·rice
Adjectives:
Before (gendered)
• joli or jolie
• joyeux or joyeuse
• gentil or gentille
After (gender inclusive)
• joli·e
• joyeux·se
• gentil·lle
To learn more and see more examples on the median point, additional information
can be found on the Revue féministe étudiante pluridisciplinaire de l’UQAM.
Example:
The Use of « X »
This technique can be used to replace the masculine and feminine endings of nouns and
adjectives. The « x » is placed where you would have put your gendered ending.
Example:
Nouns:
Before (gendered)
• assistant or assistante
• pharmacien or
pharmacienne
• professeur or professeure
After (gender inclusive)
• assistantx
• pharmacienxe
• professeurx
Adjectives:
Before (gendered)
• joyeux or joyeuses
• content or contente
• gentil or gentille
After (gender inclusive)
• joyeuxe
• contentx
• gentilx
To learn more and see more examples on the use of « x », additional information can be found on the Revue féministe étudiante
pluridisciplinaire de l’UQAM.
Resource - Translating Gender Inclusive Terms from English to French
Use le Doublet Complet
Using le “doublet complet”, or mentioning both the masculine and feminine versions of a term,
avoids the use of the generic masculine to designate a mixed group of people. In French, generic
masculine words are dened as plural masculine terms that are used to encompass groups
comprised of all genders. However, when generic masculine terms are used, there is a lack of
visibility of women, trans, and non-binary individuals.
Example:
Before (gendered)
• les assistants (this term is
the generic masculine)
• les gérants
• les instituteurs
After (gender inclusive)
• les assistants et les
assitantes
• les gérants et les gérantes
• les instituteurs et
les institutrices
To learn more and see more examples on le doublet complet, additional information can be found on the Guide
d’écriture pour toutes et tous de l’UdeM and on the website de l’oce québécois de la langue française.
Prioritize Epicene Language
Epicene language can be dened as having characteristics of both sexes or no characteristics of
either sex. This technique is non-gendered and inclusive; it can be used to refer to people using
non-gendered terms. The epicene terms have the same masculine and feminine form, which
makes a text non-gendered.
Example:
Before (gendered)
• jeune lle or jeune
garçon
• créateur or créatrice
• acteur connu or
actrice connue
After (gender inclusive)
• jeune enfant
• artiste
• célébrité
To learn more and see more examples on the usage of epicene language, additional information can be found on the
Guide d’écriture pour toutes et tous de l’UdeM, on the website de l’oce québécois de la langue française and on the
website des travaux publics et services gouvernementaux du Canada.
Resource - Translating Gender Inclusive Terms from English to French
Use Collective Language
This technique can be used to avoid connecting the masculine and feminine forms of words
by instead using collective language. Collective language refers to gender inclusive terms for a
group. Using terms that encompass all genders through a non-gendered singular form avoids
gendered use of language.
Example:
Before (gendered, collective)
• les citoyens et les citoyennes
• les hommes et les femmes
• les écoliers or les écolières
To learn more and see more examples on the usage of collective language, additional information can be found on the
website des travaux publics et services gouvernementaux du Canada.
After (nongendered, individual)
• la communauté
• les gens or les personnes
• les élèves
Use Function and/or Administrative Unit Names
This technique can be used to avoid the use of gendered language by mentioning the position
held by the person rather than the title or the administrative unit to which the person is
attached.
Example:
Before (gendered, person)
• les administrateurs et
les administratrices
• les employés et les employées
• le directeur et la directrice
To learn more and see more examples on the usage of function and/or administrative unit names, additional
information can be found on the website des travaux publics et services gouvernementaux du Canada.
After (nongendered, function)
• l’administration
• le personnel
• la direction
Using Gender Inclusive Terms Reduces
Stress
Discomfort
Using Gender Inclusive
Terms Increases
Awareness
Respect Towards Others
Acknowledgement of Diverse Gender Identities
How to Know if You’re Being Thoughtful Enough?
Asking someone about their pronouns can relieve stress both for the addresser and addressee.
It’s Going to Take Time
It is important that everyone is mindful of language use so that we start to use gender inclusive
French terms naturally in everyday life. Getting comfortable with the usage of gender inclusive
terms can take time.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent
the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• Practice Often in Writing and Verbally
• Stand up for Others
More Information
• btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2guides/guides/clefsfp/index-eng.html?lang=eng&lettr=indx_catlog_e&page=9CljS-UkLxu8.
html#zz9CljS-UkLxu
• bdl.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/bdl/gabarit_bdl.asp?id=3912
With Thanks To:
Elisabeth Vezina, University of Calgary and Jacynthe Marion, sexologue B.A.
Resource - Translating Gender Inclusive Terms from English to French
