New gender terms enter Danish lexicon

Denmark’s official spelling dictionary, Retskrivningsordbogen, updates its lexicon to include new feminine and masculine suffixes, reflecting a societal push for gender equality and diversity. Examples include ‘afholdskvinde’ (abstinence woman) and ‘karrieremand’ (career man). The introduction of these terms is in response to the presence of female leadership, such as two female Prime Ministers, signaling an increased awareness of women’s achievement of high positions. Some words, like ‘sømand’ (sailor), retain their traditional form, as additions like ‘nordkvinde’ would not make sense. The dictionary’s revision process involved reviewing around 200 gender-specific words, with approximately 30 additions. The 5th edition of the dictionary will be available both in print and online.