Nebenan.de uses gender-inclusive language to make diversity in neighborhoods visible and to include all people. They use gender-neutral formulations or the gender colon (e.g., Nachbar:innen) to address male, female, and non-binary individuals. Language should promote equality and strengthen social cohesion. The language practice is continuously adapted to new insights.
Why do you use gender-inclusive language at nebenan.de?
At nebenan.de, we have chosen to use gender-inclusive language. With nebenan.de, we advocate for diverse neighborhoods. Therefore, we strive to actively express this diversity through our language and to represent all people as best as possible.
Why do you write, for example, Nachbar:innen?
Whenever possible, we use gender-neutral formulations (e.g., Teilnehmende instead of Teilnehmer). When there is no suitable gender-neutral formulation, we use the gender colon. The gender colon refers to the use of a colon within a word between the masculine and feminine forms. The colon is intended as a placeholder for all those who do not identify as female or male. With Nachbar:innen, we explicitly address male neighbors, female neighbors, and non-binary people in the neighborhood.
Why is this topic important to you?
With nebenan.de, we advocate for equality and diverse neighborhoods. We are convinced that the heterogeneous coexistence in neighborhoods is an important component for the positive development of our society: In neighborhoods, people from different age, income, and origin groups and with various gender identities come together, get to know and appreciate each other. This creates encounters and trust and strengthens social cohesion.
As described above, studies show that there is a connection between language structure and equality. Therefore, we strive to actively express social diversity through our language as well.
Will you continue to use the gender colon in the shortened form?
Language is constantly changing. Our society is in continuous transformation, and so is our language. We are always eager to learn and happy to gain new knowledge about how we can represent fairness and diversity linguistically. Therefore, we strive to continually adapt our language to current developments and new insights.