Neutral language in public administration: an analysis of the constitutional principles of human dignity and impersonality

Abstract

The present study analyzes the use of neutral language in the Brazilian Public Administration in light of the current discussions on gender diversity and the recent normative restrictions imposed by Law No. 15,263/2025, which prohibited the use of “new forms of gender and number inflection” in official acts and communications. The research investigates the extent to which inclusive linguistic practices, aimed at the recognition of non-binary people, dialogue or enter into tension with the constitutional principles of human dignity and impersonality, as well as with the normative grammar that guides state communication. The central objective is to examine the compatibility between these elements and to understand the legal and administrative limits of the adoption of language inclusion strategies in the public sector. The methodology adopted is qualitative, exploratory, based on bibliographic review, documentary analysis, and normative and jurisprudential study. The results show that, although the dignity of the human person sustains the need for institutional practices that respect gender identities, impersonality and normative grammar are used as foundations to justify standardized models of communication, especially after the enactment of the new law. It is concluded that the debate is not exhausted with the legal prohibition, as discussions remain open about inclusive language alternatives that do not violate administrative standardization. The study reinforces the importance of future research that evaluates the communicative and social impacts of the recently approved standard.