Gendered debates? The use of gender-sensitive language in German televised debates, 1997–2022

Abstract

Germany is a prime example of a country where the use of gender-sensitive language is the subject of public controversy and debate. This study provides a quantitative content analysis of all (N = 72) German televised debates aired on the federal and state level from 1997 until 2022 to explore the determinants of the use of gender-sensitive language by political candidates. We find that the use of gender-sensitive language has increased over time, but the effect is small and not robust. Party affiliation correlates with candidates’ linguistic behaviour, indicating that conservative candidates use less gender-sensitive language. Candidates’ gender and party affiliation, as well as parties’ socio-political positions, interact in predicting the use of gender-sensitive language. Candidates also change their use of gender-sensitive language from one debate to another. Compared to liberal/left-wing candidates, these changes are less likely to be associated with an increase in gender-sensitive language for conservative candidates.