Claudia Posch Book order

The study employs constructivist language theory to explore feminist linguistics, challenging traditional views of grammar as merely reflective of reality. It begins with a literature review and research questions, followed by a critical examination of German feminist linguistics and historical perspectives on gender in grammar. Recent approaches to grammatical gender are analyzed, revealing the integration of feminist linguistics across various fields. A corpus-assisted analysis of gender-fair forms in German is conducted, culminating in findings on their usage with non-human referents and broader conclusions about the implications of these results.

The study explores the complexities of German personal reference, focusing on the use of the feminine suffix -in with inanimate entities, challenging the traditional view that grammatical gender is separate from biological sex. It examines whether grammatical gender influences the construction of non-personal agents and highlights the tendency toward anthropomorphism in language, where inanimate objects are assigned gendered characteristics. The research provides insights into how gender markers impact language and perception, revealing nuances in German linguistic practices.