Twitter announced a new option on its Arabic version for people wanting feminized vocabulary instead of just standardized male words, an initiative to promote an "
inclusive language
" on the widely used social network in the Maghreb and the Middle East.
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The Arabic language distinguishes between feminine and masculine forms, which can modify the construction of words, such as imperative verbs. For example, the options "
tweet
" or "
explore
" can now be displayed in the feminine. "
We are therefore introducing a new linguistic parameter which recognizes and takes better account of the feminine form of Arabic,
" Twitter announced in a statement on Tuesday. "
We are committed to using an inclusive language on Twitter, whether written, posted on our site and our applications, or integrated into our code,
" assured the social network.
Twitter posted a video showing tweets in Arabic and English from users criticizing the lack of female form on major social media platforms. "
We know that there is still work to be done so that our service reflects the diversity of voices in the world,
" Twitter acknowledged, promising "
updates
" based on customer reviews. In a region where the majority of political regimes tolerate hardly any form of criticism in the traditional media, young people, in particular, use social media extensively to attack their government. Facebook or Twitter had played a crucial role during the popular uprisings of the Arab Spring of 2011.