Ať žije ministryně, poslankyně, inženýrka, profesorka … aneb Feminizace názvů povolání ve francouzském jazyce

Abstract

This paper presents some communication diffi culties caused by varieties of the French language regarding the feminization of nouns of occupations, titles, ranks and functions. Historically, the feminine form of a profession word was frequently used to designate a woman who was married to a man of that vocation although the woman did often hold the same job herself. Now more feminine forms are needed for all the diff erent positions that women hold themselves. First in French Canada but soon throughout the French-speaking world – people began to feminize titles to harmonize the language with the reality of our society, namely access of women to jobs previously held mainly by men. The choice between denoting women with grammatically masculine words and feminizing these masculine words is currently a linguistic and social controversy in France as well as in other French-speaking countries (Quebec, Belgium, Switzerland). This study examines arguments both in favor of and against the feminization of masculine nouns, and provides the offi cial opinions of several French language authorities. The paper also shows that the feminization is largely a social issue: many believe that the feminine forms are derogatory and should not be used.