First Annual Gender-Inclusive Language Instruction Conference 2023

Languages are dynamic and ever-evolving; they shape one’s identity and reflect the societal attitudes and norms. This conference brought together researchers, practitioners and members of the LGBTQI+ communities who discussed the urgency of adopting gender-inclusive language in the effort of raising awareness of gendered linguistic bias and promoting diverse and inclusive learning environments.

Speakers also presented their research and projects, as well as the challenges and cultural implications of using non-binary language.

The panelists and audience shared practical ways of using gender alternatives in their classrooms in order to promote and celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion.

Conference Schedule

Opening remarks: Evgeny Dengub, Liana Stepanyan, USC, Conference co-organizers

Keynote speaker: Kris Knisely, Assistant Professor of French and Intercultural Competence, Department of French and Italian, University of Arizona

Why Use Gender-Inclusive Language? 

  • Benjamin Rifkin, Dean of Arts & Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
  • Joseph A. Parodi-Brown, Academic Dean, Modern Languages Department Chair, Marianapolis Preparatory School.
  • A.B. Monzón, USC LGBTQ+ SC Center Supervisor.

Case Study: Swedish and Finnish 

  • Daniel Wojahn, Senior Lecturer in Swedish, Södertörns University. ¨Swedish: Ten Years of Using Gender-Neutral pronoun hen (2012– 2022)¨.
  • Laura E. Hekanaho, Visiting scholar, Department of Languages, University of Helsinki. ¨Finnish: Gender-Exclusive and Gender-Inclusive¨.

Navigating the Gender-Neutral Language in the Classroom

  • Regina Range. Associate Professor of German, Department of Modern Languages and Classics, The University of Alabama. German.
  • Tal Janner-Klausner, Educational Coordinator, This Is Not An Ulpan. Hebrew
  • Saida Santana, Associate Professor, Complutense University of Madrid. Spanish.
  • Irene Yi, PhD student, Department of Linguistics, Stanford University. Mandarin

Gender-Neutral Instruction: Initiatives

  • Ben Papadopoulos, PhD student, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, UC Berkeley. ¨The Gender in Language Project¨.
  • Liana Stepanyan, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Spanish, Maria Mercedes Fages Agudo, Master Lecturer in Spanish, Goretti Prieto Botana, Professor (Teaching ) of Spanish, ¨Sin Fronteras, a grammar book that includes non-binary Spanish¨.
  • Eduardo Viana da Silva, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Washington. ¨Bate-Papo, an OER textbook that includes non-binary Portuguese¨.

Recordings of Sessions and Panels

  • Moderator: Atiyeh Showrai (USC)

    • Benjamin Rifkin, Dean of Arts & Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
    • Joseph A. Parodi-Brown, Academic Dean, Modern Languages Department Chair, Marianapolis Preparatory School.
    • Karrie Kingsley (they/them/theirs), Associate Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Faculty and Staff Success and an Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy within the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, USC
    • Lori Lausche, Assistant Principal, Larchmont Charter School at Lafayette Park

  • Moderator: Liana Stepanyan (USC)

    • Daniel Wojahn, Senior Lecturer in Swedish, Södertörns University. ¨Swedish: Ten Years of Using Gender-Neutral pronoun hen (2012– 2022)¨ (Presentations slides))
    • Laura E. Hekanaho, Visiting scholar, Department of Languages, University of Helsinki. ¨Finnish: Gender-Exclusive and Gender-Inclusive¨

  • Moderator: Julie Christine Van Dam (USC)

    • Regina Range. Associate Professor of German, Department of Modern Languages and Classics, The University of Alabama. German
    • Tal Janner-Klausner, Educational Coordinator, This Is Not An Ulpan. Hebrew
    • Saida Santana, Associate Professor, Complutense University of Madrid. Spanish
    • Irene Yi, PhD student, Department of Linguistics, Stanford University. Mandarin

  • Carolina Castillo Larrea (USC)

    • Ben Papadopoulos, PhD student, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, UC Berkeley. ¨The Gender in Language Project¨.
    • Liana Stepanyan, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Spanish, Maria Mercedes Fages Agudo, Master Lecturer in Spanish, Goretti Prieto Botana, Professor (Teaching ) of Spanish, ¨Sin Fronteras, a grammar book that includes non-binary Spanish¨.
    • Eduardo Viana da Silva, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Washington. ¨Bate-Papo, an OER textbook that includes non-binary Portuguese¨.

Resources for Gender-Inclusive Teaching

Learn about upcoming 2nd Annual Gender-Inclusive Language Teaching Conference 2024

Questions? Contact us

Evgeny Dengub

Liana Stepanyan

Organizers and Sponsors

Conference co-chairs: Professors Liana Stepanyan and Evgeny Dengub

Sponsors:
USC Center for Languages and Cultures
Departent of French and Italian
German Studies Program
Department of Eastern Asian Languages and Cultures