Grammatical language forms used by non-binary transgender* individuals in the LGBT*QIA+ community in Berlin, Germany
Presenter Title/Affiliation
Leibniz-Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft; Universität Humboldt
Start Date
21-5-2021 11:30 AM
Event Name
Panel discussion
Panel Number
2
Panel Chair Name
Robert Phillips
Zoom URL to Join
https://ciis.zoom.us/j/96623891761
Zoom Meeting ID
966 2389 1761
Abstract
This is a first study of grammatical gender forms used by gender non-conforming transgender* individuals in the LGBT*QIA+ community in Berlin, Germany. Within the diverse LGBT*QIA+ community, gender non-conforming transgender* individuals are a heterogeneous group, in which gender identity may be expressed linguistically in a great variety of ways. This work is our first attempt to investigate such grammatical gender forms in hopes to document and preserve them as part of a rich queer linguistic tradition in a single but very culturally diverse city, Berlin.
For our investigation into grammatical gender forms, the target group is gender non-conforming transgender* individuals currently living in Berlin, Germany. We invited 12 participants (22 ˗ 38 years old) who have lived in Berlin, Germany, for at least two years (ranging 2 ˗ 10 years). All the participants are fluent English speakers and use the English language to communicate with each other (English being their native or non-native language). Two research methods have been used in this study: Systematic Self-Observation and an Interview Questionnaire.
We have found that non-conforming transgender* individuals in Berlin, being linguistically heterogeneous, employ a great variety of ways in order to express non-binary or non-conforming gender identity. We have investigated the following six major topics concerning the diverse ways to queer linguistic gender: (i) Queering conventionally gendered language forms; (ii) using gender-neutral forms to queer familial terms; (iii) queering pronouns; (iv) using the playful and affective animal role play; (v) queering language to describe babies and young individuals; and (vi) language mixing.
Grammatical gender forms used by gender non-conforming transgender* individuals in Berlin are highly interesting to investigate because they create and use new lexicon items and so-called queer grammar to avoid linguistic gender binaries, a topic which is drastically understudied in the linguistic literature. These linguistic innovations are an integral part of LGBT*QIA+ communities by producing new roles, positionalities, and ways of establishing the LGBT*QIA+ membership.
Presenter Contact
olgasteriopolo@hotmail.com
aussoleil.harley@gmail.com
Grammatical language forms used by non-binary transgender* individuals in the LGBT*QIA+ community in Berlin, Germany
This is a first study of grammatical gender forms used by gender non-conforming transgender* individuals in the LGBT*QIA+ community in Berlin, Germany. Within the diverse LGBT*QIA+ community, gender non-conforming transgender* individuals are a heterogeneous group, in which gender identity may be expressed linguistically in a great variety of ways. This work is our first attempt to investigate such grammatical gender forms in hopes to document and preserve them as part of a rich queer linguistic tradition in a single but very culturally diverse city, Berlin.
For our investigation into grammatical gender forms, the target group is gender non-conforming transgender* individuals currently living in Berlin, Germany. We invited 12 participants (22 ˗ 38 years old) who have lived in Berlin, Germany, for at least two years (ranging 2 ˗ 10 years). All the participants are fluent English speakers and use the English language to communicate with each other (English being their native or non-native language). Two research methods have been used in this study: Systematic Self-Observation and an Interview Questionnaire.
We have found that non-conforming transgender* individuals in Berlin, being linguistically heterogeneous, employ a great variety of ways in order to express non-binary or non-conforming gender identity. We have investigated the following six major topics concerning the diverse ways to queer linguistic gender: (i) Queering conventionally gendered language forms; (ii) using gender-neutral forms to queer familial terms; (iii) queering pronouns; (iv) using the playful and affective animal role play; (v) queering language to describe babies and young individuals; and (vi) language mixing.
Grammatical gender forms used by gender non-conforming transgender* individuals in Berlin are highly interesting to investigate because they create and use new lexicon items and so-called queer grammar to avoid linguistic gender binaries, a topic which is drastically understudied in the linguistic literature. These linguistic innovations are an integral part of LGBT*QIA+ communities by producing new roles, positionalities, and ways of establishing the LGBT*QIA+ membership.
https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/lavlang/2021/friday/14
