LINGUISTIC ASPECT OF CONTEMPORARY GENDER CHALLENGES IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE

Abstract

The article discusses the morphological features associated with the formation of feminine words to designate professions, ranks and positions. The change in the social status of a woman – a politician, public figure, government official, professional – in the fields confined to male representatives – requires adequate expression in the language. The need search correct forms that do not violate the traditional structure of the language is felt both by linguists and authorities of the country. Their acceptance or non-acceptance by the language depends on the reaction of the native speaker, the media, representatives of the Internet community. The author reviews the possibilities presented by the French language in the formation of the feminine nouns – suffix formation, epicenes. Issues related to the peculiarities of matching plural nouns are also considered. The article does not only deal with the situation in France, but also with what is being done in this direction in Geneva canton, in the French-speaking community of Belgium, in Quebec. The author found it interesting to dwell on some of the reasons that impede the entry of new forms into modern French. The conclusion contains some observations covering the period of the last two years, made on the basis of viewing media materials.