The Rainbow Language Tips, an initiative of the municipality of Amsterdam, were once again brought to the attention during the Pride this year. The document serves as a tool to use more inclusive language so that no one has to feel left out.
New language
For example, according to the style guide, it’s better to use the word “parent” instead of father or mother. It is also advised not to say ‘born as a girl’ but ‘seen at birth as a girl’. In addition, ‘sexual preference’ is not desirable, because the word preference can give the impression that someone consciously chooses to fall for women, for example.
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This kind of ‘rainbow language’ is still rarely used in practice, says Nanoah Struik. The LGBTI activist thinks it is good that the municipality of Amsterdam is committed to this and hopes that other municipalities will follow suit, because there is work to be done. “A common reaction is: ‘You can’t say anything anymore.’ There is, however, a difference between Drenthe, where I come from, and Amsterdam, where I now live. People here do their best.”
Little effort
Nanoah regrets that this is less the case in other regions of the Netherlands. “I no longer have much understanding for people who can’t adapt. If it helps someone else, it is a little difficult to stop using certain terms. Of course it takes some getting used to, I also had to use certain pronouns myself. But now it’s largely in it.”
Resistance
According to linguist Sterre Leufkens, there are several reasons why people do not pick up this language yet. “Some people don’t want it. They say it’s nonsense. What’s wrong with calling a mother ‘mother’ and a father ‘father’? .”
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There is also a group of people who want it, but find it difficult. “You’re so used to using the word mother; you really have to think about it not to do it. Just like ‘hurray a girl’ when a baby is born. It feels crazy to suddenly say ‘hurray a person’ to say.”
Time needed
With a new language it always takes a while before it is in your system. “But you often hardly notice the change. We are already used to many new corona words. A word such as non-binary is also quite new. It takes a while before it is in your vocabulary. It is a matter of getting used to.”
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