WFTDA and Roller Derby Deutschland Collaborate on Release of First Gender-Sensitive German Translation of The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby

The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) and Roller Derby Deutschland released the German translation of the December 1, 2017 Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby. This release is the first collaboration between WFTDA and Roller Derby Deutschland and the first gender-sensitive version of the German rules.

Roller Derby Deutschland and the WFTDA translation team released the following statement with the Rules:

“Roller derby is an open and 'colorful' sport to which a wide variety of people feel associated. The WFTDA appreciates this aspect of the sport and considers it important to highlight the diversity in Roller Derby and to consider all participants. That is why the following text has been translated into a gender-sensitive language variant. Despite the alleged gender neutrality, the generic masculine form commonly used in German leads readers to imagine only male actors and thus does not reflect the reality of Roller Derby. The 'gender asterisk' used here, refers to persons who do not want or are unable to place themselves in binary gender categories (man / woman). The spelling may initially be unfamiliar to inexperienced readers, but offers the opportunity to address as many of the people involved as possible. The openness to and appreciation of human diversity make Roller Derby so special and sets it apart from many other sports. It is all the more important to take this into account in the typeface as well.”

The German version of The Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby is available in a PDF format.