S/he

[Dave Smith]

In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a gender neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of passing interest:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

[Lance]

I have grave doubts that the introduction of a gender neutral pronoun will make much difference to sexism.

Zulu has no gendered pronouns but sexism is certainy present in Zulu society. Finish has no gendered pronouns (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_neutrality_in_genderless_languages) but sexism is probably worse than in Sweden.

Lance

[Abhidevananda]

Post by Lance
I have grave doubts that the introduction of a gender neutral
pronoun will make much difference to sexism.
Zulu has no gendered pronouns but sexism is certainy present in
Zulu society. Finish has no gendered pronouns (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_neutrality_in_genderless_languages)
but sexism is probably worse than in Sweden.

I doubt that anyone would claim that neutral pronouns will eliminate
sexism. However, the simple fact is that it is grammatically unjust -
grammatically demeaning - that a male noun or pronoun may signify both
men and women, but the corresponding female noun or pronoun may not.
If "man", "men", and "mankind" can signify both men and women, then
why shouldn't "woman", "women", or "womankind" signify both women and
men? If "he" can signify either a man or a woman, then why shouldn't
"she" signify either a woman or a man? Justice is an absolute
principle that demands strictness. There might be some practical
delays in the achievement of justice, but there can be no exceptions
in respect to recipients and modes.

[M Winther]

Post by Dave Smith
In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a
gender neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

The neutral pronoun 'hen' is useless because audibly it is too close to
the male pronoun 'han'. Besides, we already have a neutral pronoun
'denne', so I don't see the point in introducing a new one. The Finnish
language lacks grammatical genus, but Finland remains a more masculine
country than Sweden. So this is just silly.

M. Winther

[Ron Peterson]

Post by Dave Smith
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

Can't "one" be used as a gender neutral pronoun?

[Lance]

I think it tends to refer to oneself? 'He played the piano', 'She played the piano', 'One played the piano', and similar. But the one one seems to be an odd way of referring to oneself.

[Dave Smith]

Post by Lance
I think it tends to refer to oneself? 'He played the piano', 'She played the piano', 'One played the piano', and similar. But the one one seems to be an odd way of referring to oneself.

Yes. There is also a distinction between "oneself" and "one's self". :>)

For those interested in the complexities of the English language:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/one.htm


Dave

[Philip]

Post by Ron Peterson

Post by Dave Smith
In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a gender
neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of passing
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

Can't "one" be used as a gender neutral pronoun?

Thr simplest solution in English is surely to use the plural.

[Dave Smith]

Post by Philip

Post by Ron Peterson

Post by Dave Smith
In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a gender
neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of passing
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

Can't "one" be used as a gender neutral pronoun?

Thr simplest solution in English is surely to use the plural.

Yes, sometimes it is easy to use the plural. Instead of writing something like "if a person wants x, he or she should........", one can write "if people want x, they should .......". However, the form "if a person wants x, they should.........." doesn't seem very satisfactory to me.

Dave

[Philip]

Post by Dave Smith

Post by Philip

Post by Ron Peterson

Post by Dave Smith
In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a gender
neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of passing
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

Can't "one" be used as a gender neutral pronoun?

Thr simplest solution in English is surely to use the plural.

Yes, sometimes it is easy to use the plural. Instead of writing something
like "if a person wants x, he or she should........", one can write "if
people want x, they should .......". However, the form "if a person wants
x, they should.........." doesn't seem very satisfactory to me.

I suppose a purist might object, but then I would ask them to explain why
it's ok to say "you are a purist" rather than "thou art a purist".

[Dave Smith]

Post by Philip

Post by Dave Smith

Post by Philip

Post by Ron Peterson

Post by Dave Smith
In this group we have previously noted the problem of not having a gender
neutral pronoun for s/he in English, so this article may be of passing
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/24/sweden-adds-gender-neutral-pronoun-to-dictionary

Can't "one" be used as a gender neutral pronoun?

Thr simplest solution in English is surely to use the plural.

Yes, sometimes it is easy to use the plural. Instead of writing something
like "if a person wants x, he or she should........", one can write "if
people want x, they should .......". However, the form "if a person wants
x, they should.........." doesn't seem very satisfactory to me.

I suppose a purist might object, but then I would ask them to explain why
it's ok to say "you are a purist" rather than "thou art a purist".

Yes, thou hast a good point. Apparently, 'they' was used as a singular pronoun by such worthies as Shakespeare, Dickens and Trollope:

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-%E2%80%9Cthey%E2%80%9D-acceptable-as-a-singular-pronoun/

Dave