GENDER SENSITIVITY IN LEGAL DISCOURSE: LINGUISTIC ASPECTS AND PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines gender sensitivity in English-language legal discourse through the lens of linguistic practices and philosophical foundations of contemporary legal thinking. The relevance of the topic stems from the need to uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination in official legal communication, especially in connection with international legal standards and processes of European integration. In particular, the study analyzes the influence of philosophical concepts such as natural law, hermeneutics of law, and language and legal consciousness on the necessity of implementing gender-inclusive language. The aim of the study is to identify the linguistic features of gender-sensitive language in English legal discourse and to determine effective approaches for its integration into the educational process in Ukraine. The research material includes recommendations from international legal institutions (UN, Council of Europe, governments of Canada and the UK), official court documents–particularly decisions of the ECtHR and the CJEU–contract samples, and educational resources reflecting current linguistic strategies. The research methods comprise descriptive (to identify key language changes), comparative (to contrast traditional and inclusive formulations), and contextual-analytical (to analyze the pragmatic meaning of linguistic units in legal texts). The findings reveal that international legal English increasingly adopts gender-neutral lexemes (e. g., singular “they”, replacing “chairman” with “chairperson”), while linguistic inclusivity is recognized as an integral part of legal culture. Future research prospects include the development of glossaries of gender-neutral legal terminology, the adaptation of teaching materials for Ukrainian higher education institutions, and the study of translation strategies to prevent discriminatory language.