Language changes all the time but grammar is about clarity. They likes gardening confuses because they means more than one. It likes gardening doesn't make sense because its don't have preferences. We need a new word that can be singular.
Anyone with a same sex partner who has ever had to navigate this 'hetero-normative' world will be adept at using singular they/them pronouns. I did this before I had even heard of non-binary folks.
If I'm unsure of how someone would like their gender referred to, it is easy and perfectly natural to do the same.
It's 'they like gardening'.
Maybe it’s easier if you’ve felt compelled to use “they” quite often throughout your life.
“Does your wife work?”
”Yeah, they’re a psychologist”
Being afraid to say “he” (for many reasons), “they” has always been an escape route from an awkward (for me) conversational cul de sac. 🤷🏽
I’ve long been of the mind that we’re too hung up on ‘classification’ …. someone’s gender should be of no concern to anyone unless they wish to have sex with them … or possibly if they engage in competitive sport … but then it’s only relevant to those who regulate such things.
For those who say that we need to know gender in order to know what to call them, that just demonstrates circular thinking. What we need is a non-gender-specific pronoun to be used for all individuals, then everyone’s ‘gender status’ is irrelevant.
I mean … does it matter to me if I know the gender of the person driving the bus, serving my pint or doing my pedicure?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I’ve long been of the mind that we’re too hung up on ‘classification’ …. someone’s gender should be of no concern to anyone unless they wish to have sex with them … or possibly if they engage in competitive sport … but then it’s only relevant to those who regulate such things.
I agree, but would add "medical professionals treating that person" to the list of those that 'need' to know ...
No, @TheGreenMan, they is incorrect when the gender is unknown. Historically, there is an assumption that the subject is male - as in Dear Sir - if there is doubt. The use of Sir or Madam was considered vulgar. If there is doubt, you say he.
I don't care at all what individuals want to decide about gender but I think introducing confusion in language makes things worse because you lose the thread of the conversation, trying to work out the meaning. 'They'? I thought we were talking about your friend/partner/boss etc. Who are 'they'? I don't understand....
A new word for everyone or for undefined individuals would solve the problem. Isn't there a sci-fi series where a non-gendered species use the word vee? We all got used to Ms. I'm sure we could adapt.
It all goes back to the day when women were regarded as property controlled by a male-dominated society, and needed to be identifiable as such.
Hopefully in the UK at least all adults are (or should be) autonomous individuals and shouldn’t need ‘classification’.
If we’re not, then using a non-gender-specific pronoun for everyone should help in achieving that.
Other forms of gender segregation/classification such as clothing styles and social etiquette are rapidly disappearing … why not in the words we use too?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
”Yeah, they’re a psychologist”
Being afraid to say “he” (for many reasons), “they” has always been an escape route from an awkward (for me) conversational cul de sac. 🤷🏽
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I don't care at all what individuals want to decide about gender but I think introducing confusion in language makes things worse because you lose the thread of the conversation, trying to work out the meaning. 'They'? I thought we were talking about your friend/partner/boss etc. Who are 'they'? I don't understand....
A new word for everyone or for undefined individuals would solve the problem. Isn't there a sci-fi series where a non-gendered species use the word vee? We all got used to Ms. I'm sure we could adapt.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.