Authorities in the Buenos Aires region have signaled they may sanction educators who choose inclusive language in the classroom, arguing that certain linguistic choices pose obstacles to clear understanding. The concern centers on a directive that limits how topics are addressed in schools and how language is used in corporate communications, with officials stressing the need for a straightforward approach to communication that avoids potential ambiguity.
Soledad Acuña, the Education Minister for the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, voiced on FM Millennium that Spanish is a precise tool with vast resources available, yet the aim is to avoid language forms that might blur meaning. Reports from the Télam agency quote her saying that relying on generic masculine forms or not adapting language appropriately can create confusion. She also indicated discomfort when the term gentlemen is deployed as a universal descriptor in mixed-gender environments, suggesting that language should reflect contemporary social realities rather than defaulting to traditional gendered terms.
In the minister’s view, the goal is to bolster student readiness in a generation shaped by the disruptions of the Covid-19 era. She urged teachers to keep in mind the real stakes involved in education and to consider how linguistic choices might influence comprehension. The message emphasizes avoiding phrases that appear to target a specific group or to evoke revolt, and instead focusing on clarity and inclusive, practical communication that supports all learners without invoking unnecessary controversy.
Regarding enforcement, Acuña stated that any rule has to be observed. In cases of noncompliance, she noted that formal disciplinary steps would follow. She warned that a teacher could be evaluated by the effect of their language and the outcomes of their instruction rather than by numbers alone, underscoring that professional conduct carries weight in the overall educational process and that literacy and comprehension should remain the central aim of classroom instruction.