Elle (Spanish pronoun)

Various experts have indicated the relevance of using appropriate pronouns as a basis for respecting identity, visibility, and acceptance of non-binary or transgender individuals.

The at symbol, due to its shape resembling a combination of the letters "a" and "o" and its wide availability on keyboards, became one of the first mechanisms of gender neutrality in language.

Thus, the pronoun elle--a combination of él and ella--emerged to denote non-binary individuals or other people in situations where it was not necessary to indicate gender.

[3][5][18] Some linguists have expressed opposition to the need to create a new pronoun, arguing that it is unnecessary because gender neutrality in Spanish already exists in the form of the generic masculine.

Linguist Carme Junyent i Figueras opposed the term, arguing that it was an imposition on the language by minority groups that "expose themselves to ridicule," and would not generate any further tolerance of gender expression.

[21] In 2018, an article[22] in favor of inclusive language published by the EFE News Agency as well as in Le Monde diplomatique edición Chile, in July 2018, written by Gustavo Gac-Artigas, sparked a wide-ranging debate via email among members of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language (ANLE), a debate instigated by Tina Escaja.

This led in turn to the ANLE commissioning its Center for Studies to produce a report on the situation of inclusive language among Spanish speakers in North America and other countries.

The work was commissioned to researchers Tina Escaja and Natalia Prunes, who compiled a series of studies on inclusive language, including the pronoun elle, which was published by the ANLE in 2021, under the title Por un lenguaje inclusivo.

[23] Tina Escaja argued that it was necessary to "question the dogmatic position expressed by the Royal Spanish Academy regarding inclusive language" and explained that the intention of the selection of texts made "was to open dialogue and reflect on social reality, in order to propose linguistic strategies that help fight against gender discrimination".