English question

topic posted Tue, May 1, 2007 - 10:36 AM by  Dr. Fiasco
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to the best writer I know in person:

Franktastik, if I want to say "his" or "her" in a gender-neutral way, is it OK to use "their"?

Thanks
posted by:
Dr. Fiasco
SF Bay Area
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  • Re: English question

    Tue, May 1, 2007 - 11:02 AM
    to the smartest Brazilian I've ever met:

    A prescriptivist grammarian would say no, always use "his or her".

    A descriptivist grammarian would note that the use of "their" in this case has become so common that it now qualifies as accepted usage.

    I, personally, like to write "s/he/it," because it manages to be informative and dirty at the same time.
    • Re: English question

      Tue, May 1, 2007 - 11:16 AM
      Thank you. I guess I'll just go with "his" and piss off the feminists then.

      We're so nice to each other today. What's wrong with us? Is it because of Beltane?
      • Re: English question

        Tue, May 1, 2007 - 12:48 PM
        > We're so nice to each other today. What's wrong with us? Is it because of Beltane? <

        I don't know about you, but I'm celebrating May Day by being more tolerant of third-wolders.
        • Re: English question

          Tue, May 1, 2007 - 1:47 PM
          The International

          Arise ye workers from your slumbers
          Arise ye prisoners of want
          For reason in revolt now thunders
          And at last ends the age of cant.
          Away with all your superstitions
          Servile masses arise, arise
          We'll change henceforth the old tradition
          And spurn the dust to win the prize.

          Refrain:
          So comrades, come rally
          And the last fight let us face
          The Internationale unites the human race.

          No more deluded by reaction
          On tyrants only we'll make war
          The soldiers too will take strike action
          They'll break ranks and fight no more
          And if those cannibals keep trying
          To sacrifice us to their pride
          They soon shall hear the bullets flying
          We'll shoot the generals on our own side.

          No saviour from on high delivers
          No faith have we in prince or peer
          Our own right hand the chains must shiver
          Chains of hatred, greed and fear
          E'er the thieves will out with their booty
          And give to all a happier lot.
          Each at the forge must do their duty
          And we'll strike while the iron is hot.

          • Re: English question

            Tue, May 1, 2007 - 1:49 PM
            I remember May Day in Brazil when I was about 10. I'd go with my dad to the factories in the suburbs of São Paulo at 5 AM, when the night shift was letting out and the morning shift coming in, and we'd pass pamphlets around.
            • Re: English question

              Tue, May 1, 2007 - 10:19 PM
              "we'd pass pamphlets around."...

              ...about English grammer?

              That bungwhole who wrote, What Color Makes Your Boat Float {er whatever}, has some preamble therein which states that "their" was once used back when we didn't care too much about knowing whether they're a man or a woman. I believe nowadays using, 'woperchild', is your safest route.

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