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Twitter Introduces “Feminine Arabic”
Twitter has just introduced a new gender-inclusive language setting that acknowledges and endorses the feminine voice.
People who choose to opt for this setting will be addressed in the feminine form rather than the masculanized default.
For example, “Gharrid” will be replaced with “Gharridy”, and “iktashify” instead of “ikatishif”.
In order to enable this setting you have to login to your Twitter account, head to “Settings and privacy,” then “Accessibility, display, and languages.” Afterwards, select “Languages” and go to “Display language”. There will be an Arabic (Feminine) option available.
This has been a controversial issue as in the Arabic language, words can be either masculine or feminine, but the neutral terms of address and defaults remain masculine. Twitter is shedding light on the fact that they have been addressing feminine users through masculine terminology and have taken the initiative to change that.
Twitter’s campaign was met with great support, and the hashtags #FeminineArabic and أتحدث_بالمؤنث# quickly flooded the platform. Here are some reactions:
Small decisions like these that are more inclusive to Arab women’s voices work are very important, and we’re overjoyed to see such developments. Hopefully, other social media platforms take this step as well!
To all the Arabic speaking women on https://t.co/umhtAzj7S5 – we’ve launched a new language setting that addresses you in the feminine form.
— Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) June 15, 2021
Join the conversation with #FeminineArabic # pic.twitter.com/NTrz1Sq6zK
People who choose to opt for this setting will be addressed in the feminine form rather than the masculanized default.
For example, “Gharrid” will be replaced with “Gharridy”, and “iktashify” instead of “ikatishif”.
In order to enable this setting you have to login to your Twitter account, head to “Settings and privacy,” then “Accessibility, display, and languages.” Afterwards, select “Languages” and go to “Display language”. There will be an Arabic (Feminine) option available.
This has been a controversial issue as in the Arabic language, words can be either masculine or feminine, but the neutral terms of address and defaults remain masculine. Twitter is shedding light on the fact that they have been addressing feminine users through masculine terminology and have taken the initiative to change that.
Twitter’s campaign was met with great support, and the hashtags #FeminineArabic and أتحدث_بالمؤنث# quickly flooded the platform. Here are some reactions:
A world first on social media! # https://t.co/Y64J69UbFU
— Dima (@dima_barbara) June 15, 2021
What a beautiful initiative! Twitter has announced that they now have the option for Arabic speakers to choose to be addressed in the feminine (Arabic grammar has differentiators when addressing male or female) Thank you Twitter this is a wonderful step # https://t.co/KCu9PJ9lM8
— Maher (@CrimsonMaher) June 15, 2021
— Rosie Dyas (@RosieDyasUK) June 15, 2021
#feminineArabic I love it!! More apps to use feminine arabic please.
— Rami (@SleepinwSatan) June 15, 2021
Small decisions like these that are more inclusive to Arab women’s voices work are very important, and we’re overjoyed to see such developments. Hopefully, other social media platforms take this step as well!
