The Guardian

French language watchdogs say 'non' to gender-neutral style

The Académie Française, France’s ultimate authority on the language, sparks national row after describing inclusive writing as an ‘aberration’
Brigitte Trogneux (L), wife of French President Emmanuel Macron (R), stands with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during an official ceremony at Paris' city hall after his formal inauguration as French President on May 14, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / CHARLES PLATIAU / Getty Images

The Académie Française, France’s ultimate authority on the French language, is under fierce attack for describing gender-neutral text as an “aberration” that puts the language in “mortal danger”.

The “Immortals”, as the 40 academy members – only five of whom are women – are known, have sparked a national row after declaring that “inclusive writing” has no place in the

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