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Elle (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈeʝe], or less commonly [ˈeʎe] plural: elles [ˈeʝes]) is a proposed non-normative personal pronoun[1][2]inSpanish intended as a grammatically ungendered alternative to the third-person gender-specific pronouns él ("he"), ella ("she") and ello ("it").
There are three main objectives of the term:[3][4][5]
The latter is the most common usage in modern times. When each of the use cases are met, it can be seen as an equivalent of the English singular they.
The pronoun is not endorsed by any Spanish-language academy or institution. However, on 27 October 2020, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) briefly incorporated the pronoun on its website. Four days later, it was removed.[2]
The use of a neutral pronoun has been demanded by individuals of non-binary gender or other gender identities who do not feel comfortable using traditional pronouns, differentiated into masculine and feminine genders. Various experts have indicated the relevance of using appropriate pronouns as a basis for respecting identity, visibility, and acceptance of non-binary or transgender individuals.[4][6] The creation of a neutral pronoun would solve the problem of a lack of appropriate pronouns for this group of people.[5]
Over the last few years, the heightened visibility of individuals with diverse genders and the emergence of new forms of communication, such as websites, blogs, and social networks, allowed for new digital forms of expression and language. The adoption of the at symbol (@) to replace the endings "a" or "o" in Spanish, which generally denote grammatical gender, was among the first examples of the development of a gender neutral pronoun. The at symbol, due to its shape resembling a combination of the letters "a" or "o" and its wide availability on keyboards, became one of the first mechanisms of gender neutrality. However, this only occurs in written contexts, as it does not have a phonetic equivalent for pronunciation. Along with the at symbol, the x («x») has also been used to replace the final "a" or "o," which has led to "linguistic disobedience" regarding gender.[7] Thus, pronouns like ellxs and ell@s were created. However, both cases did not have phonetic pronunciation[8] and created difficulties for visually impaired individuals who use electronic communication systems (which did not recognize these formats) and individuals with learning disabilities such as dyslexia.[9][10]
The use of "e" as a neuter gender ending, replacing the specific "a" and "o," was proposed at least since 1976.[11] This option began to expand its use several decades later as an alternative to the use of the X and the at symbol.[8] The use of "e" solved the pronunciation problems of the other alternatives. Thus, the use of the word "elle" emerged as a pronoun alternative, a middle ground between『él』and "ella," to denote non-binary individuals or other cases where it was not necessary to indicate gender.[12]
The use of the pronoun "elle" is restricted, being more frequently used within groups of sexual and gender diversities, and among younger individuals.[4][12][13] However, its use has been a subject of debate among linguists and philologists.[3]
According to those advocating for its use, the term "elle" allows for the identification of individuals who do not feel comfortable with other terms, thus respecting the identity of such individuals.[14] According to some studies, the inclusion of neutral pronouns in other languages has seen positive results in the reduction of sexist attitudes.[15][16][17] Other experts indicate that the use of "elle" would also allow for the accurate translation of terms from other languages that do not have a gendered component, either because neutral pronouns are already in use (as in Swedish and English) or because one wishes to maintain the intention of not communicating gender for other reasons.[3][5][18]
Some linguists have expressed opposition to the need to incorporate a new pronoun, indicating that it is unnecessary because gender neutrality in the Spanish language already exists, it is just assimilated within the generic masculine form.[3] Other linguists have expressed opposition to the adoption of the term, stating that it is not feasible to impose a word within the language. They argue that it will only be considered legitimate with the passage of time and if it is naturally accepted by the majority of society, as is the case with the rest of the language. Linguist Carme Junyent i Figueras opposed the use of the term, arguing that it was an imposition on the language by minority groups that "expose themselves to ridicule," and would not generate any further tolerance of gender expression.[3]
On October 27, 2020, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) included the pronoun "elle" in its Observatory of Words, a section of its website relaunched a few days earlier, in order to inform about words and neologisms not incorporated in the dictionary and that were under evaluation, but it did not imply acceptance of its use. In that section, the RAE defined "elle" as follows:[19]
The pronoun elle is a resource created and promoted in certain areas to refer to those who may not feel identified with either of the two traditional genders. Its use is not widespread or established. The use of elle as the name of the digraph ll is noted in the DLE.
Despite the indications regarding the characteristics of the Observatory of Words, the inclusion of the term "elle" generated considerable discussion and confusion.[20] Days later, the RAE decided to withdraw the word to avoid confusion regarding its officialization. In this regard, the institution stated: "When the operation and purpose of this section are widely disseminated, it will be reassessed".[21]
In 2018, an article[22] in favor of inclusive language published by the EFE News Agency as well as in Le Monde diplomatique edición Chile, in July 2018, written by Gustavo Gac-Artigas, sparked a wide-ranging debate via email among members of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language (ANLE). This led in turn to the ANLE commissioning its Center for Studies to produce a report on the situation of inclusive language among Spanish speakers in North America and other countries. The work was commissioned to researchers Tina Escaja and Natalia Prunes, who compiled a series of studies on inclusive language, including the pronoun "elle", which was published by the ANLE in 2021, under the title Por un lenguaje inclusivo. Estudios y reflexiones sobre estrategias no sexistas en la lengua española (For an inclusive language. Studies and reflections on non-sexist strategies in the Spanish language), and was presented on January 26, 2022.[23]
One of the authors argued that it was necessary to "question the dogmatic position expressed by the Royal Spanish Academy regarding inclusive language" and explained that the intention of the selection of texts made "was to open dialogue and reflect on social reality, in order to propose linguistic strategies that help fight against gender discrimination".[23]
The book specifically refers to the use of the pronoun "elle" on two occasions. In one instance, its use is incidentally noted in Argentina by the press (p. 141). The second mention is by Elena Castro, a scholar at Louisiana State University, who mentions the topic in the article titled "Google Translator does not understand. Forging inclusion in exclusive languages", where she writes:
... recently, a promising proposal has emerged: the use of "elle." Many non-binary individuals in our country, and even several publishing houses, have begun to use "elle" as their preferential pronoun for the third person plural and also for the third person singular of undefined or non-normative gender that is not recognized in, or is ascribed to, identity or binary categories; and also for those cases in which the pronoun refers to a trans person. (p. 292)
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