– I think it’s really great that you are recognized. This is what non-binary Sunniva Stenvaag Lægdene says about “hen” getting a place in the dictionary of the Language Council in 2022. Her father, Stig Lægdene, is the dean of the Tromsø deanery. In his sermons, God is not a man. – I think it’s really cool, I’m also a champion of it, says Sunniva. – When I sing in church, God is a lady. Dad Stig is also happy that “she” is now in the dictionary, but Sunniva’s gender definition has not been decisive for his mention of God. – I never say that God is him, because that narrows God down. God is bigger than gender and pronouns, says the deacon. He is pleased that many in Generation Z are champions of a broader definition of gender. – It means that the room is bigger, and that we can be more of who we are, says Stig Lægdene. – Gender is not so determined, it is more fluid. It makes it more fun to be both a man and a woman, I think. On New Year’s Eve, they were both guests in Helgemorgen. – Helping people to be themselves Sunniva found out that she was non-binary at the start of her teenage years. – It was a bit strange to feel that I didn’t fit who I was. That I wasn’t quite the same inside as I was outside, he says. – But now I feel more secure and comfortable. She also considered changing her name. – When I say “Sunniva” people immediately think that I am a girl. Because most other people named Sunniva are girls. Nevertheless, he chose to keep his name. – I love my name, and personally I don’t think it’s a gendered name, says Sunniva. – It’s a very non-binary name. Because I’m non-binary, and I have that name. Papa Stig is aware that it was a decision Sunniva made herself, but thinks it is thought-provoking that it was so demanding for her to come forward as non-binary. – In that sense, I think the word “hen” is important. It helps people to be themselves, he says. – When Sunniva told us that it cost something to tell us parents, it made a strong impression on me. The domprost in Tromsø domprosti believes, however, that there should be a broader definition, also in the church. Photo: Jørn Inge Johansen / news – Cheers for “hen” Author and linguist, Helene Uri, is also happy that “hen” received a stamp of approval from the Language Council in 2022. – I really cheer for hen, and think it’s a great word. The fact that it has been given a place in the language council’s dictionaries means quite a lot to quite a few people, she says. Uri believes that “he” is here to stay. – I see it being used all the time in newspapers, on TV and on the radio. So I think that there has been a need for a gender-neutral pronoun. Author and linguist, Helene Uri, believes that “hen” is here to stay. Photo: Henriette Mordt / news Nevertheless, she thinks it may take time to get used to a new pronoun. – We get new verbs and adjectives all the time, but we don’t get a new pronoun very often. Then it’s unusual and strange, and we have to get used to it, says Uri. – Because language is habit. Being referred to as a female writer The linguist is aware that language is power, and believes that the way we refer to things has a lot to say. Uri points out that health nurses are now called health nurses, and that the education received more male applicants after the name change. – Now it has not been scientifically proven that it is connected, but I think it is. She also refers to an example from her own work as a writer. – My male colleagues are referred to as writers, while I am referred to as a female writer, says Uri. – It may not always be conscious, but it does something to us as recipients. Hope 2023 brings nicer words 2022 has been characterized by war, high food prices and expensive electricity and fuel. It has left its mark on the new words that we have introduced into our language. – We can hope that 2023 gives us more kind words than 2022 has done, says Uri. However, Sunniva is clear on which word she wants to be approved by the Language Council in 2023. – “Hin”, she says.
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Domprost believes God is bigger than gender – linguist believes “he” is here to stay – news Troms and Finnmark
