Oxford University is preparing to modify its 800-year-old Latin ceremony to accommodate non-binary students. The university will be incorporating gender-neutral language during degree conferrals to promote inclusivity. The proposal to change the Latin ceremonial text was deemed “necessary” by the Dons (university teachers) and is scheduled for a vote on April 29. If approved, the changes will be implemented in all ceremonies starting from October, as reported by The Telegraph.
The modifications involve removing gender-specific language from the Latin message of congratulations. A gazette has been issued to notify faculties about the proposed alterations.
Instead of using “Magistri” (master) to refer to male students, the new text will utilize the neutral term “vos” for “you”. Similarly, the term “doctores” (doctors) may also undergo changes.
Furthermore, a neutral term will be substituted for the word “who”, which has masculine and feminine forms, in reference to undergraduates.
“Similar adjustments are being considered for the specific wording in degree ceremonies across various disciplines such as arts, music, medicine, law, and philosophy,” the report stated.
In addition to degree ceremonies, gender-neutral language will be adopted in other formal events. For instance, during the installation of a new Vice-Chancellor, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor will speak about “their” time in office instead of “his/her” tenure.
Dr. Jonathan Katz, a Latin expert and the university’s public orator, has endorsed the linguistic changes.
“The proposed changes aim to create a unified text for each ceremony, accommodating all gender options students may indicate in line with legal requirements for higher education reporting,” explained an Oxford University spokesperson.
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Since the Labour government assumed power in the UK, there has been a growing push for gender-neutral language. Recently, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK issued guidelines advising staff members to refrain from labeling individuals as “obese” and instead use the term “people with obesity.”
Furthermore, the guidance discourages the use of terms like diabetics, schizophrenics, and alcoholics to describe patients.
