Language is a measure of culture and in many ways a measure of time. It captures not only what we say, but also what we value and what we’re still struggling to express. As global conversations around gender have become more visible, the languages we speak (and translate) are evolving in real time. For those of us in the language services industry, these shifts present more than just grammatical puzzles. They raise deeper questions about inclusion, identity, and how language can either reinforce social norms or help reshape them.
How do we navigate translation in a world where gender is no longer binary and perhaps never was? How can we help clients communicate across cultures when the structure of their message might land differently (or alienate) in another language?
Not all languages handle gender the same way
Some, like Vietnamese or Turkish, lack grammatical gender entirely. Others, like English or Swedish, don’t assign gender to nouns but still rely on gendered personal pronouns. Then there are languages like Spanish, French, Arabic, or Russian, where gender is embedded into nearly every word from people to objects to verbs. Understanding this variation matters, especially in multicultural communication. When the structure of a language requires speakers to assign gender constantly, it can render some people invisible. For those who don’t identify within a binary system, simply being acknowledged in language can be a challenge.
What is gendered language?
When we talk about gender in language, we break it down in two ways:
Grammatical gender
A system for classifying nouns, often labeled “masculine,” “feminine”, or “neutral.” Used in languages like in Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi.
Natural gender
The way we describe people based on identity or social role, as “she,” “they,” or “he”.
In languages with grammatical gender, these two systems often overlap making it nearly impossible to speak or translate without assigning someone a gender, even when it’s unnecessary or inaccurate. Take French, where le président is grammatically masculine. When Sandrine Mazetier served in the French National Assembly in 2014, she insisted on being called la présidente. A male colleague refused to use it and was fined. What began as a linguistic dispute became a cultural one. Should language preserve traditional, or evolve to reflect who people are?
Spanish presents similar challenges. The word enfermera (nurse) is predominantly associated in feminine form, and for many native speakers that association runs deep. Even though the masculine plural enfermeros can technically refer to a mixed group, using it in something like a translated flyer for a free clinic might feel strange. For instance, if a health campaign in the Rio Grande Valley said habrá enfermeros dando consejos neonatales (nurses will be giving neonatal advice), some might subconsciously picture male nurses, or question the phrasing altogether. Even when grammatically correct, certain terms can disrupt expectations. In practice, many still default to enfermera, because it “sounds right” when imagining someone in that role, regardless of who’s actually doing the job.
Language reflects culture, but it also shapes it
Linguistic relativity suggests that the language we speak influences how we think, relate, and perceive the world. When gender is embedded into nearly every word as it often does in Spanish, French, and Arabic, and Russian – this practice can render some people invisible. Around the world, people are reclaiming and reshaping how gender is expressed. In English, neopronouns like they, ze, and xe have emerged to offer more flexible ways to self-identify. In Spanish and French, innovations like elle and iel are gaining traction, especially among younger and LGBTQ+ communities. Change doesn’t always come easily or universally.
In Spanish-speaking communities, the search for gender-inclusive terms has sparked creativity and controversy. At one point, the symbol “@” (as in Latin@) was used to visually merge masculine and feminine endings but never translated into speech.
Then came Latinx, a term that gained visibility predominately in the U.S. While it was meant to be more inclusive and pronounceable, it faced significant pushback, especially among older, monolingual Spanish speakers and communities outside the U.S. Critics argue that the “x” feels imposed by English-speaking institutions and is unpronounceable in Spanish. A Pew Research study found that only 4% of Hispanic adults use the term, despite its visibility. A new option, Latine, has since gained momentum: a phonetic and grammatically fluid alternative embraced by many Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ communities. Whether subtle or seismic, these changes are people-driven. The future of language will be shaped by those who insist on being seen and respected.
Languages evolve, but not all at the same pace
Change in language often starts with lived experience, not in grammar books. Today, people are listing their pronouns in email signatures, social media bios, and even on business cards. These include he/him, she/her, they/them, or neopronouns like xe/xer or ze/hir. Historically, we’ve made assumptions about pronouns based on gender expression or name (e.g., assuming “John” is male). But as more people identify as non-binary or outside the traditional male/female divide, those assumptions fall short.
In English, they has long been used as a singular pronoun but now it’s being embraced more consciously as a gender-neutral option. In other languages, similar innovations are emerging but at different speeds and with different challenges. Inclusive language isn’t the same for all, and it starts with listening.
Go global with cultural insights from CQ fluency
Languages don’t change overnight. But the people who use them, and translate them, are changing every day. By acknowledging the tension between traditional grammar and lived identity, we become better communicators. By listening to grassroots innovation from neopronouns to community-coined terms, we show respect. And by practicing cultural intelligence, we offer more than translation: we offer belonging.
What does this look like in practice? Sometimes, the answer is a rephrase rather than a rewording. For example, instead of translating estimado señor (dear sir) or estimada señora (dear madam) we might use: a quien corresponda (to whom it may concern) or estimada persona (dear person), a gender-neutral structure that affirms everyone. Sometimes, solutions lie in visuals, metaphors, or audience testing. And often, the most powerful strategy is the simplest one: just ask, “How does this community want to be addressed?”
CQ fluency is proud to support inclusive communication that affirms all identities. For more on how we help organizations navigate language, culture, and connection, reach out to our team.