Tilting at (lexical) windmills
As a Witch, and a sometime word-smith, I try to be careful of the words I choose, and how I use them . From time to time I review the things I say, and perhaps choose a new windmill to tilt at
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To eschew the masculine as inclusive does not require that we resort to the wrong word and an even further lack of communication. 'Their," is not a substitute for a singular, because it is a plural. If we know the gender of the person to whom we are referring, then we can choose the right gendered singular. If we do not, then there are options:
"Each child put out a hand" does quite nicely, is clear, and does not turn each child in more than one child.
The inclusive 'he should' readily becomes 'one should,' which is both correct and neutral.
The most consistent argument I have heard again the use of 'one' is that it sounds 'stilted.' Actually, it just doesn't sound silly, confused, and wrong.
Somebody was telling me a while back about a book on grammar by a couple of Feminists who were appalled that Feminism was being blamed for the decay of clear grammar. I think it possible for writers to be sensitive to the feelings of modern gender without losing the clarity of the language.
As to the rest of your missive: you really raise some good points. It is very hard for people to use the word 'love' these days and have any understanding of its meaning. It got commercialized so badly, back when it was important, that it lost its identity. Likewise 'friend.' I've been working hard to differentiate between 'friends' and 'acquaintances' in my everyday speech, and it is surprisingly difficult. People tend to say "I have a friend who.." when what they mean is "I have met somebody who..."
Anyway: Happy Belated Birthday. I was away when it happened.
Love,
Don
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E Nesbit's books--"Five Children and It" I think---
I could be misremembering somewhat, it has been forty or so years---but I Did notice that it was 'their' and not 'his' or 'its'
And I stand by my intention to avoid the generic he
Hugs!-(I have a carved rhino for you)
Good Hunting!
eldri
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