Controversy has erupted surrounding statements made by Culture State Minister Wolfram Weimer regarding a ban on gendered language within his ministry. The move has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum and prompted questions about his priorities as a government official.
Sven Lehmann, Chairman of the Bundestag Committee for Culture and Media, voiced his concerns in an interview with the “Rhinische Post”. He stated that if Minister Weimer genuinely valued freedom of expression, he should refrain from imposing language restrictions. Lehmann emphasized the contradiction between criticizing “paternalistic language education” while simultaneously prohibiting gender-inclusive language. He further suggested that Weimer should focus on his core responsibilities as Culture State Minister rather than engaging in what he characterized as a “culture war” performance.
Janis Ehling, Federal Managing Director of the Left party, echoed this sentiment, urging Weimer to abandon what he described as an “ideological agenda” and to prioritize the support of arts and culture. He argued that instead of broadly targeting language practices, Weimer should focus on fostering a vibrant cultural landscape.
Olaf Zimmermann, Managing Director of the German Culture Council, raised doubts about the urgency of the language policy given the multitude of pressing cultural issues demanding attention. He questioned whether Minister Weimer had adequately addressed crucial matters such as the economic and social well-being of artists, the impact of artificial intelligence on cultural enterprises and the development of a culturally sensitive tax system.
The controversy stems from Minister Weimer’s assertion, made to “Bild am Sonntag” that gendered language would be avoided in letters, emails and memoranda within the Chancellery, arguing that mandated gender neutrality can exacerbate societal divisions. The recent developments underscore growing debate surrounding language policies and their perceived impact on individual expression and societal cohesion within Germany.