Inclusive Language in Ancient Spanish

The debate about inclusive language in contemporary Spanish has sparked numerous discussions about the visibility of women and other groups in discourse. However, it is worth asking whether this phenomenon is truly a modern innovation or if, on the contrary, there are historical precedents in the use of ancient Spanish that reflect concerns for linguistic inclusion.

The Generic Masculine and Its Evolution

Traditionally, Spanish has used the masculine plural as a generic form to refer to mixed groups or when gender is unknown. This convention, based on the principle of linguistic economy, has been criticised for its potential to render women and other gender identities invisible. However, recent studies suggest that the concern for more equitable representation in language is not exclusive to our time.

Sor Juana de la Cruz: A Pioneer in Inclusive Language

A remarkable example is Sor Juana de la Cruz (1481–1534), a Franciscan tertiary from the 16th century. According to Patricia Fernández Martín’s article “Hacia una historia del lenguaje inclusivo en español: el caso de sor Juana de la Cruz (1481-1534)” (Towards a History of Inclusive Language in Spanish: The Case of Sor Juana de la Cruz), Sor Juana employed strategies that we would now identify as inclusive language in her sermons. To avoid the ambiguity of the generic masculine, she used expressions like “hermanos y hermanas” (brothers and sisters) or collective terms that included both genders. This deliberate choice ensured her message reached the entire congregation without excluding women.

Evidence of Inclusion in Other Ancient Texts

Beyond Sor Juana, there are other indications of inclusive language use in earlier times. For instance, in Miguel de Cervantes’ La Gitanilla, the expression “los gitanos y gitanas” (the Gypsy men and women) appears, demonstrating an intention to name both genders explicitly. Such constructions suggest that although the generic masculine was predominant, some authors opted for more inclusive forms when they considered it necessary to emphasise the presence of women in specific contexts.

The Debate in Historical Grammar

The discussion about gender in language is not new. In the 17th century, the French grammarian Vaugelas stated that “the masculine form has preeminence over the feminine because it is more noble.” This perspective cemented the use of the masculine as the generic and reflected an ideology that subordinated women through language. However, before this normative imposition, there were tendencies to feminise Spanish. An example is the transition from “la infante de Castilla” (the princess of Castile) to “la infanta” in the 16th century.

Although the debate on inclusive language has gained traction recently, it is evident that concerns about equitable representation in language have historical roots in ancient Spanish. Figures like Sor Juana de la Cruz and Miguel de Cervantes already used strategies to make both genders visible in their writings, demonstrating that the pursuit of linguistic inclusion is a constant evolution of our language. Recognising these precedents allows us to understand that language is dynamic and that today’s discussions are part of a continuous historical process toward more inclusive and representative communication for all of society.

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