This is in response to Tracer, who asked (Dec 9) in the spouse name-changing thread about using singular “they” for gender-neutrality.
(modern/recent) Arguments against this include the claim that it is numerically incorrect: Someone left their coat on the chair.
Someone left his coat on the chair.
( denotes non-Standard English [“incorrect usage” to some])
(Older arguments use claims that are currently, in most circles, considered invalid, including notions that “he” is and should be the standard, but that horse is so dead it’s ceased to stink, so I’ll leave it alone.)
But those who object to inaccuracy with regard to number seem to have no problem with inaccuracy with regard to gender.
(“Someone left his or her coat on the chair.” is usually eschewed as needlessly awkward).
I suspect that, while in the past, numeric inaccuracy was a bigger crime than gender inaccuracy, current tendencies will flip those. Language is social currency: what’s “right” is that which we agree is “right.” It is flexible and adapts to our changing needs of it, sometimes to vehement objections: it adapts nonetheless.
If you’re interested in an excellent examination of the history of this argument, check out Anne Bodine’s essay “Androcentrism in Prescriptive Grammar and Singular Sex-Indefinite ‘They’”. Sorry, I’m citing that from memory, so I don’t know what published book you’ll find that in, but a library database search should find it.
Ok, he probably didn’t say exactly that, but you get the idea. The point is language evolves, so why be a dork about it. When you say ‘their coat’ or even ‘they couldn’t make it’ even if you are referring to only one person everyone understands you. IMHO, a valid grammar/usuage is one which most everyone understands.
[QUOTE]
Someone left a coat on the chair.[\QUOTE]
as well as avoiding number and gender inaccuracy also avoids ownership-of-coat inaccuracy. It need not have been the coat’s owner who left it there.
OED has decided “they” is correct for gender neutral singular designation.
For what it is worth.
Chinese has always had it, I welcome it in English. I prefer it to the current PC custom of almost always referring to a child as “she”, which has come in vogue.
Using a gender neutral term may change the way we think for the better.
That reference, if you’re interested:
Anne Bodine. “Androcentrism in prescriptive grammar: singular ‘they’, sex-indefinite ‘he’, and ‘he or she’.” in (u)Language in Society 4(u/) (1975). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
There are no vital and significant forms of art; there is only art, and precious little of that.
-Raymond Chandler
Chinese does not have one word for third person, male or female. It’s just that the two words sound exactly alike. To try and convey it into english: Imagine that the word for male was “hear” and the word for female was “here”. Sounds same, written different.