Original Summary

Luciano Ölz / Shari Klein spoke at a recent march celebrating the new word Can you imagine seeing the words "shame lips" on your medical notes? The term, which can also be translated as "pubic lips", is the Dutch word for a women's body part. But, for some, it's just one of countless examples that are outdated and loaded with stigma. Last month, leading Dutch dictionary Dikke van Dale said it would include a new term for the labia, "vulvalippen" - in its upcoming online addition - alongside the traditional term "schaamlippen". European campaigners have long been calling for a rewrite of terms used to discuss women's bodies, sexuality and health. What unites them is the desire to move away from terms that are often seen as misogynistic or judgmental. "Language shapes how we see ourselves," says Shari Klein, one of the founders of the Schaamteloos campaign, which targets words that use "schaam" or "shame". "It's crucial people have a more neutral, anatomically correct word - not a word that links to shame, whether consciously or sub-consciously," she says. 'Sex positivity' Calls to use vulvalippen aren't new but campaigners say inclusion in the dictionary may be a sign society is "finally ready for change". Esther Van der Valk, part of prominent Dutch feminist group Dolle Mina, says it's also about sex positivity and reducing body shaming. The campaign's next steps are to convince doctors and officials to use vulvalippen in leaflets and consultations. Luciano Ölz / Signs used during a recent march in the Netherlands, the one on the left translates as "afterall there are no shame balls" Ton den Boon, editor of the dictionary, says adding vulvalippen is justified because it is becoming more established in the language and is being used more in the media, biology text books, medical leaflets and is even seen in veterinary medicine. But whether it will be adopted widely is yet to be seen. Other Dutch words, relevant to both men and women, could carry similar connotations - from "schaam haar" (pubic or shame hair) or "schaam been" (pubic or shame bone) to even "schaam lice" for pubic lice. However, critics say changing a word will not necessarily change people's lives. The campaign mirrors attempts in Germany, where in 2018 journalists Gunda Windmüller and Mithu Sanyal started a petition to change "Shamlippen" to "Vulvalippen". Windmüller says she was compelled to after a gynaecologist told her of the shame some women carry when discussing their bodies and having medical examinations. When writing her article, she realised she couldn't even mention anatomy without including the word shame. "Vulvalippen" has not yet been adopted by a German dictionary, but Windmüller has spotted it in conversations, school textbooks and women's magazines. Her hope is the Dutch move will ignite support closer to home. 'Virginity membrane' Similarly, in Sweden a new word for "hymen" was added in the academic dictionary after a 2009 campaign. The association for sexuality education (RFSU) felt traditional term "mödomshinna", which translates as maidenhood skin or virginity membrane, was anatomically inaccurate and did nothing to dispel myths around hymens and virginity. The new term "slidkrans" translates as vaginal corona - reflecting the fact the hymen is often folds of tissue in a ring, rather than a seal that breaks once. "With a new word we can challenge the myths that seek to control women's sexuality and freedom," Sonja Ghaderi of the RFSU says. Ghaderi says slidkrans is used particularly by healthcare professionals and in youth clinics but adds misinformation still exists emphasising the "need to change social constructs". Luciano Ölz / Supporters took to the streets in the Netherlands to celebrate and publicise the new word In the UK, feminist podcast host Nicola Denson-Elliott started a petition to replace the word "hysterectomy" (surgical removal of the womb) with "uterectomy". She argues, as others have, that hysterectomy has linguistic links with hysteria - once seen as a disease of emotional excess in women - and wants a more "anatomically correct term" not one "associated with emotion." The petition describes it as "medical misogyny", adding: "Women deserve terminology that respects them." 'Judgmental words' Linguistics researcher Dr Beth Malory says any changes need to be researched first. "Will people understand uterectomy? Is simply saying removal of the womb better?" New words cannot be ambiguous, she says, it's important to look at the whole system so there is no confusion. Malory also studies language around pregnancy and loss. One phrase highlighted in her research is "incompetent cervix" used to describe the shortening of the cervix that can increase risks of pregnancy loss and early birth. Women told her it made them feel blamed for the medical issue. "Why do we need judgmental words like failure or incompetence?" says obstetrician Dr Brooke Vandermolen. Even though they appear in medical textbooks, she tells me she's moved away from certain terms, including "failure to progress" - which describes labour not moving forward as expected. "Language is incredibly important and the words we choose can show recognition and make people feel validated and seen." In 2022, the Royal College of Midwives produced guidance offering alternative phrases. But Vandermolen says some traditional terms are still being used and still cause distress. "I hope this change in the Netherlands sparks more conversations here about how we speak about women's bodies. What we say can have a lasting impact."

中文概览

中文标题： “让女性被看见”：荷兰为何为阴唇造新词

荷兰权威词典Dikke van Dale将收录新词“vulvalippen”（外阴唇），与传统词“schaamlippen”（羞耻唇）并列。活动人士认为语言塑造自我认知，需更中性、解剖学准确的表述，并推动医生和官方使用。德国、瑞典也有类似改名行动，如瑞典用“slidkrans”（阴道冠状）替代“处女膜”一词。批评者认为改词未必能改变现实。

  • 情报分类：综合情报
  • 分类依据：荷兰为阴唇造新词的语言与性别文化争议报道。
  • 信息来源：英语新闻 / BBC News Top Stories
  • 发布时间：2026/9/24 07:42:38