flackc@stolaf.UUCP (Chap Flack) (02/25/86)
> >>any validity their statements might otherwise have. I suppose one of the > ^^^^^ ?!? > >>one another. If a person can't take the time to learn their own language, > ^^^^^ > I am reminded of a parable which mentions stones and glass houses. I am reminded of the words in the netiquette guide concerning spelling flames. But (no flame anymore, this is a serious question) is there any consensus on the use of "their" as a genderless third-person singular? I have to admit that I also find it painful, but I often can't think of anything better (that doesn't involve making my sentence incredibly complex and stilted-sounding). I find "his/her" even more painful. I notice that this use of "their" is *recommended* by the `sexist' tool in the Writers' Workbench. Hmm. While I'm at it, is there anyone out there who has a decent genderless salutation for a formal business letter? I really can't bring myself to write "Dear Sir or Madam:" (bletch!). -- --------------------- Chap Flack ihnp4!stolaf!agnes!flackc Carleton College ihnp4!stolaf!flackc Northfield, MN 55057
lje@mtfmp.UUCP (L.ELSER) (02/28/86)
Diane Holt writes
>If a person can't take the time to learn their own language...
^^^^^
The mixing of singlular and plural here bothers me, but I
find it infinitely less offensive than the use of a masculine
pronoun where no gender need be specified, OR the use of a form
which attracts attention to itself, like his/her.
If sexist language is ever going to fall away, what comes after
must not look like a poor compromise. It is important for writers
to avoid his/her for less obvious solutions.
I would have recast the sentence as:
"If people can't take the time to learn their own language..."
When in doubt, try throwing the whole sentence into the plural.
It oftem works.
Lisanather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) (03/02/86)
In article <5122@stolaf.UUCP>, flackc@stolaf.UUCP (Chap Flack) writes: > While I'm at it, is there anyone out there who has a decent genderless > salutation for a formal business letter? I really can't bring myself > to write "Dear Sir or Madam:" (bletch!). > Chap Flack ihnp4!stolaf!agnes!flackc > Carleton College ihnp4!stolaf!flackc > Northfield, MN 55057 Well, we use "Hi, y'all" but that might not be suitable everywhere ... -- Ed Nather Astronomy Dept, U of Texas @ Austin {allegra,ihnp4}!{noao,ut-sally}!utastro!nather nather@astro.UTEXAS.EDU
nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) (03/03/86)
In article <568@mtfmp.UUCP>, lje@mtfmp.UUCP (L.ELSER) writes: > > When in doubt, try throwing the whole sentence into the plural. > It often works. > Lisa I tried that, but it was long sentence, and the plural I have was too small to hold the whole thing. I *could* have held it in abeyance, which was plenty big enough, but it seemed the coward's way out ... -- Ed Nather Astronomy Dept, U of Texas @ Austin {allegra,ihnp4}!{noao,ut-sally}!utastro!nather nather@astro.UTEXAS.EDU