Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 'Françaises, Français': Why the French language need not be so sexist [View all]Skittles
(169,355 posts)58. I agree with this assessment
very refreshing to read someone who can explain it really well
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
60 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
'Françaises, Français': Why the French language need not be so sexist [View all]
Klaralven
Feb 2021
OP
It's strange to see the somewhat new practice of using "they" and "them" as singular.
JustABozoOnThisBus
Feb 2021
#19
To be pedantic (in keeping with many of the replies to this OP!), singular they/them is not new.
Emrys
Feb 2021
#26
I bow to your pedanticism. Who'd'a thought to look to the 14th century?
JustABozoOnThisBus
Feb 2021
#31
It does, but in modern English, gender isn't embedded in the grammar as it is in French.
Emrys
Feb 2021
#12
Funny, I did not realize this until the last year or so, with debates over Brexit legislation.
tritsofme
Feb 2021
#41
Acting might be the one profession where having masculine and feminine nouns actually makes sense.
Midwestern Democrat
Feb 2021
#42
English is promiscuous. It accepts new words and grammars without much friction...
hunter
Feb 2021
#20