Graduation Term

Summer 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of English

Committee Chair

Aaron Smith

Committee Member

Rachel Shively

Committee Member

Jesus Olguin

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing the acceptance, rejection, or adoption of gender inclusive and gender-non-identifying forms among language users. The study draws on responses from 25 students in a linguistic class to evaluate innovations in English and from 23 instructors of Spanish to evaluate innovations in Spanish. Participants took part in a survey designed to evaluate existing forms endorsed by the United Nations, and gender-non-identifying forms, such as the -e morpheme in Spanish or singular they in English, promoted by community-generated guides. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed side by side to better understand the participants’ reasoning regarding these innovations. The results suggest that while participants generally expressed openness to traditional gender-inclusive language aligned with prescriptive norms, there was greater skepticism toward gender-non-identifying forms. The findings suggest that individual beliefs, institutional affiliations, and demographic variables (e.g., gender identity, age) play a nuanced role in shaping willingness to engage with inclusive and gender-non-identifying forms.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD.1763755358.571459

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