New Pronoun!

[Strephonade]

He, she, you, me, us, them--'he' just is not a very representative kind of pronoun. We need a new, realistic way to refer to a nonspecific person! What should it be?

While we're at it, how about a new word for 'mankind'?

[Hypnos]

bitch

[file cabinet]

nailclipper

[int]

doormat

[file cabinet]

booger

[Melody]

Beavis

[Division56]

hu, a combo of he and you

[file cabinet]

a u is kind of like an upside h ..

[Avengardh]

dude

By all means, I use it with everyone :D

[Jkrs]

Toaster. *nod*

[shaytana]

I am wondering, there is no pronoun like this in english, what about the other languages? What language has such a pronoun? maybe we can just steal theirs.

[antireconciler]

Another option, used for centuries and now becoming acceptable again, is to use the plural they, their as the standard gender-neutral pronoun.

Someone has left his or her car lights on.
Someone has left their car lights on.
If any student wants to go to the football match, they should leave their name at the office.

[BritainOphira]

I always use something similar to "they." Short and to the point.

[Claverhouse]

English, like nearly every other major language, does already have a neuter. Just say 'it'.


If you're really sincere about this gender business.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[antireconciler]

English, like nearly every other major language, does already have a neuter. Just say 'it'.

Claverhouse, the problem is with a gender-neutral singular third-person pronoun, NOT a neuter singular third-person pronoun. You'll find other "major languages" distinquish between the two, as does English, for good reason. Try using "it" where the situation calls for the gender-neutral form. Say: "Someone its car's headlights on in the parking lot." While possessive, the point is clear.

Read up on it (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=gender+neutral+neuter+third+person). Seriously.

[Strephonade]

'They' I use on occasion, but this word lacks specificity and individual presence. 'It' is not acceptable. We are not discussing inanimate objects. Maybe a better question would be what new words to use in place of 'he' and 'mankind'.

[edit] Ha, it appears that Anti's post was submitted just before mine. It's an interesting suggestion, to use 'hey', but isn't this a bit like 'she'? Why not 'hy'? Or 'se'? Or some such?

[Claverhouse]

Unfortunately not only did you lose me halfway through the first sentence, but your proffered sentence does not make any sense whatever you insert


Say: "Someone its car's headlights on in the parking lot."

'Someone his car' ? 'Someone their car' ?
and shouldn't there be a 'left' or an 'are' somewhere in there ?

It would be quite simple for a non-sexist person, not that I shall ever sink to that, to say: 'Did you agree with Anti ? It says freedom is glorious' or, 'Where is Dorothy ? It's left it's suitcase behind.'
Remember that language is ever an evolving living thing, not static.

Besides which the 2nd link on the google you offered was of a solution to your problem: hey heys hem.
Gender Problem (http://www.aese.org/SUM96/GENDER.HTM)

Note well that I always use 'it's' for both 'it's' and 'its'. There is no point in going into my reasons here, suffice it to say they are the same as the unlovely Thomas Jefferson's, and constitute the only point of agreement I would ever have with the repulsive fellow.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

[ And no, I wouldn't have been on George III's side either: rotten little usurper ]

[ohnoaninfp]

just put down the person in stead of a gender specific pronoun

[SensEye]

just put down the person in stead of a gender specific pronoun

No, no, no, that's not going to work at all. We are lazy INTP's after all. You'll end up with: ohnoaninfp said this, ohnoaninfp said that, ohnoaninfp observed this, etc. etc.

See, I just about killed myself typing ohnoaninfp so many times (well cut & pasting actually...but still). :wacko:

[int]

I suggest the letter B as the new pronoun. No real reason why, other than I think it looks unique.

I'm open to other 1 letter words though, preferably consanants.

[Star Cannon]

If we added a neuter pronoun, the English language would have to be revamped. IT would be come very similar to German. ^.^

[antireconciler]

Unfortunately not only did you lose me halfway through the first sentence, but your proffered sentence does not make any sense whatever you insert


Say: "Someone its car's headlights on in the parking lot."

'Someone his car' ? 'Someone their car' ?
and shouldn't there be a 'left' or an 'are' somewhere in there ?



Claverhouse, "It is better to sit in silence and appear ignorant, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

Try actually reading what I write.

Edit: Obsolete, read below.

[Melody]

That's funny, I was confused like Claverhouse.

'Someone its car's...'
'Someone his car's...'
'Someone her car's...'

Doesn't make sense.

[KentOhio]

How about ''heshe?''

[Claverhouse]

It would be quite simple for a non-sexist person, not that I shall ever sink to that, ....

Remember that language is ever an evolving living thing, not static. ~ Claverhouse

.... Language is evolving and open to change, people are the ones that revolve and are closed.

Actually, when you've reached a certain plateau, further change is merely devolving.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Melody]

or revolving

[antireconciler]

That's funny, I was confused like Claverhouse.

'Someone its car's...'
'Someone his car's...'
'Someone her car's...'

Doesn't make sense.

^_~'

You're totally right. I ment "Someone left <possessive singular gender-neutral third-person pronoun> car's lights on." I apologize. Like Claverhouse, I think "their" is the most appropriate. I was just trying to demonstrate the difference between "gender-neutral" and "neuter".

"it" is great for refering to objects, but doesn't work when refering to a human being. English has a word for this case in the plural, which is "they". In the singlular it is common to just use "they" as well. The same thing happened when plural "you" took over singular "thou", and now "you" is used as both a singular and plural second-person pronoun.

There is website after website after website talking about this stuff.

Claverhouse, I apologize.

[Claverhouse]

:hello: :D B) :)

However, some people do refer to animals as 'it' or their possessive as 'it's'; and I wince each time. He's a bull, for heaven's sake, not an object. Every creature has as much an immortal soul to the same degree as any human. Or alleged human judging by the people on British TV. ( Very... whiny and alarmingly brutish: that's the presenters, the participants are worse ).

It's 4am. g'night.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Claverhouse]

I don't think plain blunt language can be improved upon, which is why I eschew the elegancies and evasions of mannered discourse.

You were correct in your initial assessment. I'm Sexist and I'm Proud !



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[ Believe me, there are far more important things to dislike about me than that ]. :D :ph34r: :D

[paladinoflunaria]

Is there some major problem with using "he" as gender-neutral? I've read texts where "she" is used, and it doesn't bother me. Some morons feel that the "s" that is left out actually makes a difference. Try again.

[Jkrs]

'he' is already attached to the state of being male. That one doesn't know (or chooses not to impart) the gender of the person being spoken of is a useful piece of information that isn't gotten across using the male pronoun that way.

[Strephonade]

You were correct in your initial assessment. I'm Sexist and I'm Proud !

So, explain please, why it is that you are sexist. I would love to know your philosophy.