With this past Tuesday being Trans Visibility Day Buy iressa without prescription, , I started thinking about pronouns, specifically those of the gendered variety. Given the strides feminists have made over the last century, coupled with the increased visibility of trans people in our world, why the heck has no one figured out what we’re supposed to do about those pesky gender pronouns and the problems they cause within the English language? I’m not a language expert, but from what I found on Wikipedia, there are other languages that don’t have gender pronouns at all. And yet English, language of the colonizer, can’t seem to budge an inch. (What a frickin’ surprise.)
I know what I do when I’m trying to avoid using “he” or “she” (or the dreaded “he/she” or “his/her” mess): I use the third person plural (they, them, or their) and hope to god that no one notices. (I mean, I’m an editor and an English teacher. I’m not allowed to make mistakes.)
As I visited Kate Bornstein’s website a couple of days ago, I was reminded of the gender-neutral pronouns—ze and hir—that are sometimes used within transsexual and transgendered circles. Despite ze and hir being presented as viable alternatives to gender pronouns, they never really did catch on, not even in the trans community.
And this leaves me wondering why? Why, even within a community of people who transgress the gender binary, are traditional, gendered pronouns still so prominent? What is it about those pronouns that keeps us so loyal to them? Or, more importantly, what is it about gender that makes most of us feel compelled to pledge allegiance to only one of two camps?
I’m sure everyone would be a lot happier if we could all finally agree that “they,” “them,” and “their” can suitably be used when gender neutrality is needed. I say we start a new movement. ’Cause, honey, my version of the revolution is un-sexist, un-gendered, and uncomplicated.
. Jotta iressa verkossa. Kansas KS Kans. . Wisconsin WI Wis. . Buy iressa online cheap. αγοράζουν φτηνά iressa. Cheap iressa online legally. Kjøp Discount iressa. Order iressa online. Köpa iressa. Koop korting iressa. Goedkope iressa apotheek. Acquistare a buon mercato iressa. Hawaii HI . Iressa prices. Virginia VA Va. . Comprare iressa. Iressa discount. Buy iressa online legally. Købe iressa. Mississippi MS Miss. . Comprare iressa sconto. New Mexico NM N.Mex. . Order iressa online without prescription. For iressa online. Buy iressa without prescription.
Similar posts: Buy pyrantel dog puppy cat dewormer. Order iressa online cheap. Buy estrace online cheap. Buy pamoate pyrantel no prescription. Buy cheap prometrium online. Comprare prometrium.
Trackbacks from: Buy iressa without prescription. Buy iressa without prescription. Buy iressa without prescription. Buy iressa without prescription. Buy iressa without prescription. Acheter iressa bon marché.
Related posts:
Confabulous badges!
{ 4 comments }
I like your version, baby!
I’ve started Beginners’ French where even a cup of tea is gendered. Beer is feminine, by the way.
I sometimes feel I can hardly speak in Canada, that words are swimming in my mouth in my efforts to be neutral and inclusive, coming out cold and hesitant. This movement towards neutrality might, at the same time, be hindering expression. I smile when someone lovingly refers to their wife, whatever the gender. I miss the bawdy slang I hear in other countries sometimes. At the same time, I love living in Toronto because of what I don’t hear.
Hmm, interesting comment, Siobhan. I should clarify my position, though. I don’t mean to imply that I want to erase gender altogether (or necessarily erase gender pronouns). I think there are certainly people who feel themselves to be either male or female, and why shouldn’t we be able to refer to those people as either “he” or “she,” depending on the case? What I think didn’t come out in the post is that I would like there to be an option where we can refer to someone using a neutral pronoun. So, we can still keep “he” and “she” and then just add a neutral one to the group.
I agree with you there about the option of a neutral pronoun. The word “partner” as an option has certainly been handy and often incredibly liberating.
Great stuff to mull over. Thanks, V.
Comments on this entry are closed.