Reassignment

/ˌriːəˈsaɪnmənt/ noun

Definition

Moving someone or something to a different job, location, or role than they previously had.

Etymology

From 're-' (again) plus 'assign' (to give a job or task to someone) plus '-ment' (noun suffix). This became common in corporate and military language in the 20th century.

Kelly Says

In military euphemism, 'reassignment' could mean anything from a promotion to exile to a dangerous post—a perfect example of how official language uses neutral words to hide difficult realities!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Clinical term for transition; when medicalized solely around gender dysphoria, erases legal/social reassignment contexts and implies pathology.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'transition,' 'transition process,' or specify context (job reassignment, legal name change). Avoid defaulting to medical framing.

Inclusive Alternatives

["transition","transition process","job transition"]

Empowerment Note

Trans and non-binary people lead language evolution; centering their terminology over clinical defaults affirms agency.

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