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Our Musings

We write about language, culture, identity, and the language profession.

  • Back to neutrality: is Chinese coming full circle with gender-neutral language?
    In Hong Kong, where Cantonese is largely gender-neutral in speech, written Traditional Chinese uses gender-specific third-person pronouns. This piece addresses the vital role of queer linguistics and translation in advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighting the emergence of neopronouns like TA and 㐅也 to validate diverse gender identities in Sinophone contexts.
  • brown scrabble boards with letters
    Don’t Take Language Too Seriously
    Today, 13 September, we celebrate Roald Dahl, a remarkable storyteller known for enchanting tales like The Twits and characters such as Oompa-Loompas. His unique language, Gobblefunk, reimagines words and structures, making storytelling vibrant and fun. Dahl’s creativity inspires us to appreciate language’s richness and its potential to impact the world. Happy Roald Dahl Day!
  • Icons representing the binary genders
    Challenging Unconscious Gender Bias
    Cantonese displays surprising gender neutrality in occupational and collective terms. However, this neutrality does not negate the existence of gender bias in Cantonese discourse, where non-binary and intersex identities are often excluded. The piece emphasises the linguistic duty to actively challenge unconscious biases and promote inclusive language to drive social change.