Nonspecific gender pronouns (Article)

[Shadow Wolf]

Lukewolf: I don't think anyone is suggesting replacing current pronouns with nonspecific gender pronouns, just using them for those that request it.

I'm just giving an example why replacing them wouldn't work.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

I think using nutral gender words is dumb. If we did use them, it would be hard to tell who is who in a news article in a paper.
I just thought this up, it would be a man beating his wife.

Sie hit hir, and then hir hit hir back. Sie screamed I am not yours, but Sie strongly replied, yes you are as sie struck hir in the face, breaking hirs nose. Out of a fit of rage, Sie picked up a crowbar and hit hir on the head, collapsing sir's skull. The police arrested sie, and hir's is awaiting trial.
That is why using gender-nuetral pronouns can be dumb. It would be much better just using he and she, him and her, because, like Kreeden said, we all have a gender.

I think it makes perfect sense Luke..........I think..........

Originally Posted by Jensa

Lukewolf: I don't think anyone is suggesting replacing current pronouns with nonspecific gender pronouns, just using them for those that request it. And actually, not everyone has a gender. Everyone has a biological sex, but gender is a diverse thing.

I agree Jensa; I hardly think it's a big thing to ask of people if it matters to you.

[standing_on_one_foot]

I personally have a lot of trouble using gender neutral pronouns (the exception being "they" and "them" for third person singular, which I do use a fair amount)...not from a "I don't want to use them" standpoint, I just constantly mess them up. Don't come naturally at all, so sometimes I just end up avoiding pronouns altogether (as much as is reasonably possible, anyway). It's odd, because I have no problem switching back and forth between male and female pronouns for people.

Now, for the other gender-neutral pronoun, "it", that's pretty well out. I hate getting called that, personally.

(I just realized that I use parentheses way too much.)

[Bennettresearch]

Jensa !!! what a subject!!

Has anyone here ever driven a Cab? The beauty of being a cab driver is that a lot of people will act like you are not there while driving them or not care whether they offend you or not. Because no one doubts that I am a heterosexual male, I received a lot of pre-emtive attacks by gays who assumed that I was bigoted. It was all an interesting experience. What I will say is that the movement to change our society to adapt to and accept homosexuality as "normal" behavior is ludicrous. I am content to leave them alone but I dont need to be forced into accepting their behavior by the PC crowd.

[kreeden]

Am I missing something ? { being up here in the back woods like I am } But what does homosexuality have to do with gender neutral words ?

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

I'm just giving an example why replacing them wouldn't work.

Again, why? I don't think anyone was suggesting that.

[CaptainXeroid]

...it's PC-ness at its worst...

This sums it up for me. I won't use them in this lifetime.

I'm old school, so I say 'Everyone has his own book'. I do not get bent out of shape if someone says 'Everyone has her own book.' I only use his to match a singular pronoun to a singular subject. I'd rather be grammatically correct than politically correct, so you will never hear me say 'Everyone has their own book.'

I do think it's funny when people get so bent out of shape of it and say things like 'You said his! How do you know it isn't a girl's book. Some folks need to chill.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

This sums it up for me. I won't use them in this lifetime.

I'm old school, so I say 'Everyone has his own book'. I do not get bent out of shape if someone says 'Everyone has her own book.' I only use his to match a singular pronoun to a singular subject. I'd rather be grammatically correct than politically correct, so you will never hear me say 'Everyone has their own book.'

I do think it's funny when people get so bent out of shape of it and say things like 'You said his! How do you know it isn't a girl's book. Some folks need to chill.

That sums me up pretty nicely

[Jaymes]

I don't know about everyone else, but I was referring specifically to people who have either no or both genders. It would be incorrect to call them he or she--if you don't have one (or have both) you aren't male or female.