The expectation for this chapter is that it talk about gender in the company of Derrida's thought. The point would be to see how such a companion or accompaniment might influence the direction taken by talk when it turns to the subject of gender. Naturally, one should try to meet this expectation as far as possible. To do so, of course, one will need to write in some particular language, preferably a language in which talk about gender can be understood, in which the word “gender” is in common use. Even if the choice of language for this chapter were not already limited by other conditions, this expectation to talk about gender would limit the choice to English. One can write “gender” only in English.

Such a limitation is only reasonable. It does, however, complicate the task we are expected to accomplish here. Because Derrida does not write in English, he does not write in the language to which the word “gender” belongs.