Treccani Dictionary’s New Edition Set to Tackle Gender Stereotypes

Due to be published in October, Italy’s historic Treccani dictionary plans to register the feminine form of nouns and adjectives to abolish gender stereotypes in their new edition.

The book marks a break from tradition by inserting the feminine form of nouns and adjectives alongside the masculine. Therefore, with the order being alphabetical, if searching for a feminine or masculine word, such as “bella” or “bello”, the feminine will be listed before the masculine. Likewise, the Treccani dictionary will now be listing women’s professions that were historically considered jobs for men. Titles such as “avvocata” (lawyer), “sindaca” (mayor), “ministra” (minister) will now be rightfully represented in the new edition.

In addition to this, the dictionary will do away with examples that perpetuate gender stereotypes such as the woman cooking at home and include the masculine form of words such as “casalingo“. 

In a statement given to Corriere della Sera, Giuseppe Patota, who directed the changes alongside Valeria Della Valle, explains that the edition “absolutely does not create a difficulty for those who consult the dictionary, but gives words back a truth and reality denied, canceled for centuries”.

The ambitious project is set to tackle gender stereotypes and pave the way to stopping the masculine gender from receiving privileged treatment.

– Esther Marcos