Over the last few months, inclusive language has positioned itself as one of the most conversational topics in the world. Since then, a strong confusion has been generated among the population about certain terms. What most divides opinions is the use of gender variants because some point out that it is time to use new words. At the same time, others consider this to be a pointless discussion.
The clearest example can be seen today. Until a few years ago people were only classified as “he” or “she” but now this is not the case. Today’s society recognizes more than two genders and for this reason it has been proposed to add more terms.
The discussion has increased in social networks by pointing out that the use of “x” and “e” should be incorporated as part of inclusive language. The opinion of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) has even been requested to determine the correct way of writing.
Correct way to use language
In this sense, the RAE has also spoken about a question that has been present in the health field for years. It all lies in whether women who are health professionals should be called doctors or doctors.
On this subject the highest authority of the language has a clear position. It states that the correct term is medical. He noted that it is the female version of doctor. He also adds that it should not only be used to refer to a woman who practices medicine but it is also the correct form for adjectives, as a medical professional.
#RAEconsults Grammatically, the feminine of “doctor” is “medical”, both in adjective uses (“medical consultation”) and in substantive uses (“My sister is a doctor)”; therefore, this is the form that should be used in reference to the woman who practices medicine.
– RAE (@RAEinforma) January 31, 2019
Other doubts beyond inclusive language
Another of the great controversies of the language within the professionals of the health sector is the use of the word doctor. It is generally used to call a doctor and its use has thus become standardized. Although according to the same RAE it admits in its dictionary that its first use is to name a person who has reached the highest university academic level.
This is because doctor comes from the Latin expression docere. This literally means to teach. Thus, the formal meaning of the word, according to its root, would be teacher or educator. At the same time, the RAE affirms that it is an appropriate term to refer to health professionals. In particular, to a doctor specialized in a therapeutic technique.