French neo-pronouns: Towards a gender inclusive grammar of reference and agreement

Abstract

This paper addresses changes in the pronominal grammar of contemporary French. The use of the generic masculine in a grammar built on the masculine/feminine distinction has been criticized for rendering female and non-binary genders invisible. Speakers have created new linguistic practices to promote linguistic equality: inclusive language (écriture inclusive) and gender-neutral language (écriture neutre). This study focuses on neo-pronouns that convey inclusive and gender-neutral reference. The empirical data collected on X reflect linguistic responses to the ongoing evolution of gender representation in society. Their analysis leads to a semantic model of reference that captures the enriched pronominal grammar of gender and agreement in emerging varieties of French.