Scrabble introduces gender – new tile now available

gender-appropriate language
Ten points for the “*in” stone: Scrabble introduces gendering

When it comes to Scrabble, it often doesn’t take long for the players to get caught up in heated discussions or even get their hands on each other’s hair. The participants have to create words with stones with letters on them and get points for it. It is not for nothing that there are dictionaries that regulate which terms are permitted in the game. Game manufacturer Mattel is also positioning itself on another social issue: there is now a gender stone for the German-language version.

The stone with the inscription “*in” is intended to help ensure that gender-equitable language is also used when scrabbling. “With the campaign, we are encouraging a discourse on the current language change and giving the stumbling block to gendering,” the company said. All people should be visible in the language, including women and non-binary people. Mattel wanted to show that no one would be disadvantaged by gender.

Scrabble: Gendern should also make women and non-binary people visible

The stone can be reordered free of charge via the company’s website. In order to avoid confusion during the game, a new, different game manual is also available for download. The “‘*in stone” may only be used “as a gender-appropriate ending for personal nouns that end in -er or -e in the basic form (generic masculine) and stand for job titles, residents or members of groups,” says the manufacturer With.

Gendering can be worthwhile for ambitious Scrabble players. If the stone is placed correctly, there are ten points for it – as many as for the letters Q or Y. Possible disadvantage: Depending on how the players feel about gender, the new stone could lead to some fundamental discussions at the living room table.

Source: Press release from Mattel Germany

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