Gender-inclusivity in the educational environment: differences across generations

The topic of inclusive language has become more and more relevant in the last decades, mainly because of the importance that the themes of inclusion and diversity have assumed. The first chapter of my dissertation on gender-neutral language will start with the definition of what inclusive language is and will continue with the reforms and acts that have led to its implementation into the daily use of English. I will analyse which have been the reasons that led feminist language activists to challenge the “normal” way people used to speak and what strategies we, as English language users, can apply in order to be more inclusive when we talk. The second chapter of my dissertation will focus on the use of gender-inclusive language in the educational environment. I will analyse its importance and who is to be held responsible for its application. Moreover, I will discuss the relevance of textbooks, curricula and teachers in this context. The third and final chapter will be a survey conducted among people belonging to different generations. I will be analysing how the participants were taught about inclusive language and their resulting approach to it.