France vetoed inclusive language in education after seeing it as a barrier to learning

The French government considers that the inclusive language, which incorporates a female suffix into a male name across a period, is a barrier to student learning and should not be used as an alternative to the feminization of the language.

The circular from the Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, pointed out that the adoption of this type of language modifies the respect of the rules of concordance “usually expected within the framework of the teaching programs”.

In addition, he argued that “is an obstacle to understanding writingBesides affecting reading aloud and pronunciation, an oral transcription of this type of spelling is not possible.

Blanquer stressed in this text, published Wednesday in the Official Journal, that children with certain disabilities or learning difficulties are particularly affected, contrary to what the adjective inclusive might suggest.

For the minister, learn and master French “help fight stereotypes and guarantee equal opportunities for all pupils“, Something that should not be penalized by this language of which”complexity and instability“Are presented as an obstacle to this goal.

Rather, it advocates the promotion and use of the feminization of certain terms, in particular costs, “dI enter in accordance with the rules of grammar“.

Inclusive language had been defended in France in feminist circles for which the masculine language is not neutral and implies an “invisibility” of women.

However, the Académie française de la langue clearly took a stand against it in October 2017, considering it an aberration, and in November of the same year, the then Prime Minister, Edward Philippe, ordered prohibit it in official texts and acts.

Blanquer has now recalled that these “feminization rules»Then dictated, and asked that the current grammatical and syntactic rules also be respected in the educational framework.

His circular included a new post also for this Wednesday of the French Academy. “At a time when the fight against sexist discrimination involves the fight against domestic violence, wage disparities or harassment, inclusive writing, although it seems to participate in this movement, is not only counterproductive for this cause but also detrimental to the practice and intelligibility of the language», Concluded the agency.

(With information from EFE)

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