##  [Gender-inclusive writing: Guidelines for translating from French](/writing-tips-plus/guidelines-for-translating-from-french)

## Avertissement

Du contenu semblable en français est présenté dans l’article [Écriture inclusive : traduction du pronom *they* employé au singulier](/fr/cles-de-la-redaction/ecriture-inclusive-traduction-du-pronom-they-employe-au-singulier).

Pour plus d’information sur l’écriture inclusive en français, veuillez consulter la page [Écriture inclusive – Lignes directrices et ressources](/fr/cles-de-la-redaction/ecriture-inclusive-lignes-directrices-ressources).

## Section: Inclusive writing

Go to the main page of this section: [Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources](inclusive-writing-guidelines-resources).

## On this page

- [Introduction: Gender inclusivity and translation](#intro)
- [Translating text about non-binary individuals](#non-binary-individuals)
- [Translating other gender-inclusive text](#gender-inclusive-text)
- [Additional information](#additional-information)

## Introduction: Gender inclusivity and translation

The French language presents a different set of challenges and solutions for [gender-inclusive](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-gender-inclusive) writing. Sometimes, this can create ambiguities for translators working with both of Canada’s official languages.

## Translating text about non-binary individuals

When you’re writing about a [non-binary](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-non-binary) individual, note that they may use pronouns in English and French that do not completely correspond. For example, some individuals may prefer the pronouns “they” and “them” in English but choose to use *il* or *elle* in French. Likewise, use of the common French [neopronoun](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-neopronoun) *[iel](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-iel)* does not always signify that an individual will use the common English [gender-inclusive](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-gender-inclusive) pronoun “they.” Remember to ask and follow the lead of the person in question.

However, when you’re not certain which pronouns an individual uses in English, the safest approach to translating *iel* or other neopronouns will generally be to employ the gender-inclusive “they.”

Examples of French sentences using the neopronoun iel and their inclusive English-language translations
| French sentence | Inclusive translation | **Iel** a fondé son entreprise en Nouvelle-Zélande en 1994. | **They** founded **their** business in New Zealand in 1994. |
|---|---|---|---|
| C’est alors qu’**iel** a commencé à réfléchir à son identité comme personne non binaire. | It is then that **they** started to reflect on **their** non-binary identity. |
| Aujourd’hui, **iel** milite pour les droits des personnes non binaires partout dans le monde. | Today, **they** promote the rights of non-binary people throughout the world. |
| « Comment s’est déroulé votre vol? », demanda-t-**iel**. | “How was your flight?” **they** asked. |

## Translating other gender-inclusive text

In French, some sentences about [non-binary](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-non-binary) individuals may avoid the use of pronouns. When the subject’s [gender](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-gender) is unclear in the original French sentence, the [gender-inclusive](/en/writing-tips-plus/inclusive-writing-glossary#def-gender-inclusive) “they” is a strong tool for effective translation. However, you may also choose to apply other [gender-inclusive writing techniques](inclusive-writing-guidelines-resources#writing-techniques).

## Additional information

- [Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources](inclusive-writing-guidelines-resources)
- [Inclusive writing: Glossary](inclusive-writing-glossary)
- [Gender-inclusive writing: Use the singular “they”](gender-inclusive-writing-use-the-singular-they)

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## Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator).

- [Business communication](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A453#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Inclusive writing](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A457#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)

## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)