*Note on gender-inclusive language

Gender-inclusive language is currently being debated quite heatedly in some quarters. It is not yet possible to foresee how the language will change and what will prevail. In March 2021, the Council for German Orthography published the following statement: “For the time being, the gender asterisk will not be officially recognized.” For this reason, including in the interest of readability, we have refrained from using a gender asterisk in our texts or from spelling out all gender-inclusive forms at every point. We respect all people, regardless of gender, skin color, or sexual orientation. In some places we use only the feminine form, and in others the masculine form. We hope that all readers will nevertheless feel addressed. We fundamentally reject any form of exclusion.