(Untitled)

[bdoing]

I really strongly dislike the ze/hir pronouns, for two reasons:

1) There are two different classes of words (open/closed) -- open class means that new words are routinely added, dropped, or changed, often/usually within the timeframe of a single life. Obvious examples are nouns and verbs (and, of course, verbing nouns). Closed class means that you

Comments

[marijuanakills]

Exactly!

[serpentrose]

I don't like to use the singular 'they', and prefer to avoid using it. However, if someone else uses it, it parses properly in my mind and I won't complain, I probably won't even notice. After all, clarity is, or at least ought to be, one of the priorities when writing for an audience.

When referring to a person it is a matter of respect to use the preferred pronoun when you know what it is. Even if part of you inwardly shudders at the choice.

Interestingly I've read a book in which the protagonist and its paired sibling are of a third gender and the accepted pronoun is 'it'. My mind began parsing this with no difficulty a short way into the book.

[robinhood]

I agree with this post. +1 gold star.

[notgarystu]

Why people insist on using words that don't already exist in the English language baffles me because it feels like it's just adding an entire new level to the problems they will already run into and entirely because they were taught that singular they is incorrect

That isn't why people prefer ze/hir/etc., though. Some people just prefer those pronouns because they do.