'Trans is an adjective' – metalinguistic discourse on the use of trans on Twitter.

This article examines the metalinguistic discourse on the phrase “trans is an adjective” as it appears on Twitter from 2009 to 2022, focusing on how statements about the grammatical categorization and usage of “trans” relate to trans-inclusive and transphobic linguistic practices. The study distinguishes between metasemantic statements—primarily concerning whether “trans” combined with nouns like “woman” should be written as a compound (e.g., “transwoman”) or as a phrase with a space (e.g., “trans woman”)—and metapragmatic statements that link these linguistic forms to social positions and identities, such as trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs). The analysis finds that the open spelling (“trans woman”) is associated with trans-inclusive meanings, treating “trans” as an adjective describing a subset of women, while the solid spelling (“transwoman”) is often linked to transphobic views and social actors opposing trans inclusion. The article concludes that debates about the grammatical status of “trans” are inseparable from social and ideological issues, with linguistic forms indexing broader social values and conflicts within and beyond trans communities.