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In reply to the discussion: Pronouns: he, him, his or she, her, hers [View all]hunter
(40,676 posts)21. Here's a bbc article.
In the English language, the word "he" is used to refer to males and "she" to refer to females. But some people identify as neither gender, or both - which is why an increasing number of US universities are making it easier for people to choose to be referred to by other pronouns.
--more--
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34901704
--more--
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34901704
I suspect the "they, them, their" usage is going to evolve with some sort of inflection that distinguishes the singular from plural:
de (dee) / der / dey
-or-
ta / ter / tay
If not, maybe this is easier:
e / em / es
Eventually one of these will make its way into to written English.
Here's some history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_neutrality_in_languages_with_gendered_third-person_pronouns#Historical,_regional,_and_proposed_gender-neutral_singular_pronouns
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You apparently don't need to identify your pronouns because your name/presentation match
Ms. Toad
Oct 2021
#65
agreed, and online communication is an interesting venue in that color and gender actually can be
unblock
Oct 2021
#43
so, let's say your name is pat and you want people to know you identify as male
unblock
Oct 2021
#40
I think the point is to make it comfortable and normal for people to specify what pronouns they want
meadowlander
Oct 2021
#59
I have no problem respecting someone's personal wishes, but if they have a preference...
hlthe2b
Oct 2021
#14
There really SHOULD be a set of non-gender pronouns for use when a gender is unkown.
70sEraVet
Oct 2021
#19
Why are you confused by 'they' (both singular and plural), but not 'you' (both singular and plural)?
muriel_volestrangler
Oct 2021
#77
I have a first name that a lot of people mistake for female, even though I'm male
Silent3
Oct 2021
#22
If I start obsessing about the rules I freeze up and don't write anything at all.
hunter
Oct 2021
#56
I have the same in reverse and also work as a professional in field that has long been assumed male.
hlthe2b
Oct 2021
#62
I'm a HS teacher. I do it in my signature. It helps normalize the use.
Cuthbert Allgood
Oct 2021
#48
Please do - it is a way of not "othering" trans, non-binary, genderqueer individuals.
Ms. Toad
Oct 2021
#64
It's an LGBT inclusive thing...I'm not LGBT, so it's more out of respect for the LBGT community.
LeftInTX
Oct 2021
#83
Slight diversion: why 3 pronouns in the example you give, or 2 for most I've seen?
muriel_volestrangler
Oct 2021
#86