Oxford University alters ancient Latin oath to make it non-binary

For centuries the Latin used during degree ceremonies at Oxford University has referred to ‘masters, ladies and gentlemen’.

Oxford University in England.

For centuries the Latin used during degree ceremonies at Oxford University has referred to “masters, ladies and gentlemen”.

Proposals to amend the language to make it more inclusive for non-binary individuals are being recommended to Congregation, Oxford’s governing body – often referred to as its parliament – which comprises 5000 academic and other staff.

Under the changes, those “supplicating” for doctorates in divinity, civil law, medicine, master of surgery or master of arts will no longer be asked to swear an oath of loyalty to the university with the introduction: “Domini Doctores (Magistri vel Domini) [Doctors (masters or ladies/gentlemen)].”

Similar amendments are being recommended for ceremonies across the university from October. Oxford states that the “changes are necessary so that the Latin used can refer to those who identify as non-binary as well as those who identify as male and female”.

The proposed changes have led to lively debate on social media. Some critics have complained about the “wokeness” of the proposals, while others questioned whether the changes were required linguistically.

David Soskin, a special adviser to then-prime minister John Major, wrote that it was “curious” that the proposals had not been mentioned to Oxford alumni, noting: “They probably know how donors would react.”

Oxford’s admission report for 2023 states that 52.2 per cent of new students are female. The university does not disclose whether any of the students define themselves as “other gender” but said this category accounted for 0.2 per cent of students at UK universities. If Oxford had a similar proportion it would have equated to 14 of the 7192 admissions.

Mary Beard, a classicist and television presenter, appeared unconcerned about the changes, saying: “I am not sure that it is a very big issue.”

The proposals state that the amended Latin has been approved by the university’s public orator, a position dating back to the 16th century and currently held by Jonathan Katz, a lecturer in classics at Brasenose College.

Katz said: “One of my colleagues wrote to me this morning to ask whether this was an early April Fool. It isn’t – just keeping up with modern trends. My only role has been to check that the Latin grammar is correct, which I believe it is so far.

“It’s true that in standard Latin the masculine plural is used to cover a mixed-gender group, but it was felt that the masculine appearance of many words was still unhelpfully dominant. Ideologically I remain neutral in this but it was an interesting linguistic exercise which the lead dean of degrees and I were requested to go through.”

An Oxford University spokesman said: “The proposed changes before Congregation create a single text for each ceremony, covering all options students now have for registering genders in line with legal reporting requirements for higher education.”

Dominic Selwood, an author and historian, commented: “Universities and languages are alive and sensitive updates are healthy.

“That said, the proposed new language is consummately devoid of any elegance, atmosphere, beauty or tradition. Still, at least the ceremony will be shorter and everyone can get to the pub earlier.”

THE TIMES