Gender, Sexuality, And Shifting Styles: Knowledge Production and Codifying Language Use in Style Guides

Abstract

Recent sociopolitical movements concerning gender identity have shifted conversations about language use and meaning. Style guides reflect this shift, updating and expanding sections on inclusive language in newer editions, and codifying written communication, enabling them to dictate language practices and ideologies. By comparing editions of commonly used guides, specifically AMA, AP, APA, and MLA, we employ queer linguistics to document language change regarding singular they in academic and professional spheres. In our research on gender-non-discriminatory language, we found consistent integration of gender inclusivity into popular style guides, yet guides tend to recommend avoidance of singular they and are ambiguous about usage.

Keywords

• queer linguistics
• transgender
• language change
• gender-neutral pronouns
• gender identity