Gendern Mainstreaming? Analysing the Use of Gender-conscious Language by Austrian MPs

While research on opposition to gender and sexual rights has expanded rapidly, the exact nature of the anti-gender backlash remains a subject of contention. Scholarship addressing topics from same-sex marriages to reproductive rights demonstrate their extreme context dependence, often involving diverse actors with distinct historical roots. One context-specific illustration pertains to gendern in German-speaking countries, a gender-conscious language use aiming to express equal treatment for all individuals. While research on the adoption of gender-conscious language by both German MPs and media outlets has advanced, little is known about the behaviour of Austrian counterparts. This became more pressing as the Lower Austrian branch of FPÖ, following an electoral victory, announced its intent to impose Genderverbot on local government, aiming to eliminate gender-neutral language forms in official documents and publications. Given that far-right elements can influence mainstream politics and compromise gender equality, this policy raises significant questions about its implications. This study seeks to explore the use of gender-sensitive language in Austrian politics, examining the actors employing such linguistic strategies and the contexts in which they are applied. Employing quantitative text analysis, which incorporates a pioneering "gendered" R package, this study examines the usage of gender-conscious language by Austrian MPs when discussing both gender-related and mainstream topics in Nationalrat from 2009 to 2019.