Why Using Feminine Job Titles in German Is Profitable for Women: Ascribed Linguistic Competence Enhances Prospects of Being Hired

In German, symmetrical treatment of women and men through gender-fair language is well established and the use of feminine forms is evaluated positively. In the present study (N = 331), we examined the mechanisms behind this positive evaluation. Female job applicants were evaluated as more linguisti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of language and social psychology 2024-06, Vol.43 (3), p.388-398
Main Authors: Formanowicz, Magdalena, Hodel, Lea, Sczesny, Sabine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ascription
Competence
Femininity
Gender-inclusive language
German language
Grammatical gender
Hiring
Job applicants
Linguistic competence
Masculinity
Occupations
Sociolinguistics
Titles
Women
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Summary:In German, symmetrical treatment of women and men through gender-fair language is well established and the use of feminine forms is evaluated positively. In the present study (N = 331), we examined the mechanisms behind this positive evaluation. Female job applicants were evaluated as more linguistically competent and as more competent in general, which translated into more favorable hiring decisions when using a feminine (vs. a masculine) job title. These results illuminate positive effects of successful language reform for women.
ISSN:0261-927X
1552-6526
DOI:10.1177/0261927X231222881