Using he or she in sentences is politically incorrect

[osgart]

Why should I care?

I've used he and she all my life. It's perfectly natural.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Why should I care?

Because you'll interact with non-binary people, and deliberately excluding people when you know better is jerkish.

I've used he and she all my life. It's perfectly natural.

I used to use "he and she" too. Then I learned better, so now I do better.

 

[sun rise]

People are sometimes asking to be referred to by a specific pronoun.

I'm a 'he'. My wife is 'she'. Failure to call us by our preferred pronouns will annoy us.

 

[osgart]

Because you'll interact with non-binary people, and deliberately excluding people when you know better is jerkish.


I used to use "he and she" too. Then I learned better, so now I do better.

Why can't we just add more words to he, and she for non binary people?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Why can't we just add more words to he, and she for non binary people?

Tell you what: you take that up with the President of English.

 

[VoidCat]

Why can't we just add more words to he, and she for non binary people?

Like I don't know...they? It's kinda already there

And who says you can't use he and she in a sentence? I have no problem with it. It's just redundant to put "he or she" instead of they cuz it saves space and effort to put they. Easier to put one word instead of 3

 

[osgart]

Like I don't know...they? It's kinda already there

And who says you can't use he and she in a sentence? I have no problem with it. It's just redundant to put "he or she" instead of they cuz it saves space and effort to put they. Easier to put one word instead of 3

They is plural. I like distinction in my words, and specific description. Clarity and succinct usage is what I aim for.

Besides he and she rolls off my tongue without thinking about it.

I'm actually offended because I can't just be binary.

 

[VoidCat]

They is plural. I like distinction in my words, and specific description. Clarity and succinct usage is what I aim for.

Besides he and she rolls off my tongue without thinking about it.

I'm actually offended because I can't just be binary.

Two things: I know no one trying to force you to be nonbinary
And two: they has been used singular for centuries according to Oxford and Webster dictionaries
Singular 'They'

A brief history of singular ‘they’ | Oxford English Dictionary

 

[Viker]

I prefer either she/her or at least I will accept they/them.

People insisting on continuing on referring to me with he/him are beyond rude (foul) and part of what's wrong with the world. This is not about dammed political correctness, it is about courtesy, respect and social etiquette.

 

[Audie]

Because you'll interact with non-binary people, and deliberately excluding people when you know better is jerkish.


I used to use "he and she" too. Then I learned better, so now I do better.

I will never agree to that.

 

[SomeRandom]

They is plural. I like distinction in my words, and specific description. Clarity and succinct usage is what I aim for.

Besides he and she rolls off my tongue without thinking about it.

I'm actually offended because I can't just be binary.

“Oh my aunt is coming over.”
“Oh really, when will they arrive?”

People use “they” all the time naturally.
Also lol the English language is the last place you should look for consistency. And languages change all the time. Otherwise it dies

 

[QuestioningMind]

Why should I care?

I've used he and she all my life. It's perfectly natural.

If someone indicates to you that they have a preference then perhaps you should care because it matters to them. It would be like constantly calling someone Timmy who had repeatedly told you they prefer to be called Timothy. If you have no desire to treat people with common courtesy then I suppose you shouldn't care.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

They is plural.

Nobody tell Shakespeare:

There's not a man I meet but doth salute me
As if I were their well-acquainted friend

I like distinction in my words, and specific description. Clarity and succinct usage is what I aim for.

Specificity without accuracy is a... weird aim.

 

[osgart]

If someone indicates to you that they have a preference then perhaps you should care because it matters to them. It would be like constantly calling someone Timmy who had repeatedly told you they prefer to be called Timothy. If you have no desire to treat people with common courtesy then I suppose you shouldn't care.

This is not about common courtesy. I have plenty of desire for common courtesy. I don't do as you suggest I'm doing.

He and she are words that many people are still very content with referring, and being referred by. I shouldn't have to give them up in their proper context.

I have no problem with using words that people prefer for themselves within reason. I have no argument with non binary people being called whatsoever they wish. I shouldn't have to give up my binary language though when it does apply.

I think people get way too offended by language usage like this.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Non binary people already know what they are...they understand that they use of they instead of he or she, is quite new to most people. And most non binary people will not be offended. Of course if they have told over and over again, please refere to us as they......

Then it could become an offence if people do not do it.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'll use whatever pronoun a person prefers. Its no matter to me. I'll use the one I suspect they fit unless corrected, and then I'll use that one.

I am comfortable being referred to as he/she/cat. I don't want to be called zee/they/whale.

 

[osgart]

Non binary people already know what they are...they understand that they use of they instead of he or she, is quite new to most people. And most non binary people will not be offended. Of course if they have told over and over again, please refere to us as they......

Then it could become an offence if people do not do it.

Yeah it is rather new. I was having a conversation about it with someone, and they informed me of it. They made it sound like using he and she was politically incorrect. I posted this thread thinking that there was some kind of problem with using he and she, but it's only that non binary people prefer gender neutral pronouns. I have no problem with that. However maybe we need more pronouns I thought for them specifically.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Yeah it is rather new. I was having a conversation about it with someone, and they informed me of it. They made it sound like using he and she was politically incorrect. I posted this thread thinking that there was some kind of problem with using he and she, but it's only that non binary people prefer gender neutral pronouns. I have no problem with that. However maybe we need more pronouns I thought for them specifically.

You opened a very important discussion

 

[Heyo]

I think people get way too offended by language usage like this.

I think people who aren't affected get way too offended on behalf of others.

In German the discussion is about how to best express inclusivity in professions and positions. We often think of the neutral designation as male and add the female form. (Actors and actresses) But additionally people are lazy and many now write "actor*esses" or similar. Just recently a municipality prohibited the asterisk in official documents and they got flak for being sexist.

 

[osgart]

I think people who aren't affected get way too offended on behalf of others.

In German the discussion is about how to best express inclusivity in professions and positions. We often think of the neutral designation as male and add the female form. (Actors and actresses) But additionally people are lazy and many now write "actor*esses" or similar. Just recently a municipality prohibited the asterisk in official documents and they got flak for being sexist.

Where did the flak come from?