Onymic Demarcations.
The Self-Designation of Transsexuals and Intersexuals
In this linguistic subproject, we will be looking at the way in which German forenames can be used for differentiation and de-differentiation of gender. On the one hand, there is the legal requirement that a name 'must clearly indicate gender' so that as a result two catalogs of forenames have developed; on the other hand, the sound of a name provides scope for de-differentiation and can be used when choosing a name. Against the historical background of the phonological androginization of names, we will be considering a rare case of self-determined categorization through naming, i.e. how trans- and intersexuals use names to identify their position in the gender classes. Are they securing, risking, or blurring the tonal recognizability of their gender assignment?