-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- On Mon, 27 Apr 1998, Mark Baker wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 27, 1998 at 06:05:51PM -0400, Bob Hilliard wrote: > > include the plural". Then all of the clumsy constructions using > > plural pronouns (they, their) to refer to singular entities (Leader, > > Secretary, etc.) should be changed to use singular masculine pronouns > > (him, his). > > "They" is not only a singular, it is also widely accepted as a singular > pronoun, and has been used as such by not only ordinary people but also > great writers for hundreds of years. > I am sorry to burst that bubble, but do you care to centest that argument with my english teacher? "they" is a plural non-gender pronoun. When writing in formal english, it is required thatspecific formal pronouns be used. E.G. "The President will be ........ (blablabla). He will also... (blablabla)". One thing that IS accepted is the use of masculine pronouns to represent both genders. However, some view this as sex discrimination. Hence, everybody is in a very awkward position. Write gramatically incorrect documents, discriminatory documents; even better, lace your documents with useless replacement phrases. An example of the last, replacing the second sentence in my previous display, would go as such: "The person who holds this position will also ... (blablabla)". Following this method insures that everybody will be happy, but puts extreme pressure on the writer not do provoke anybody carelessly. Who will take something seriously if its main constitution is riddled with grammatical errors? Who of the same will take it seriously if it is discriminatory? Who, then, will read it if it is twice as long as it needs to be? I say everybody is too paranoid. Who cares what it looks like? Do it effectively and use the most common method, whoever's toes it steps on. Don't be afraid to put "he" because somebody will surely slander you for your nievety. Enough of my ramblings ;) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Van Couwenberghe -- [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] |---> Debian GNU/Linux: http://www.debian.org ftp://ftp.debian.org <-----\ |-> Proud competitor in the race for World Domination <-------------------| Illusion web designs - http://www.sonic.net/~vanco - To be launched by June PGP KeyID: 41119089 UserID: Aaron Van Couwenberghe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: 2.6.3a mQCNAzU9DnIAAAEEAMPBOCQh5zzgJCh7hz7M20bL+gztIn1+ldPNq8AcN7s16XHa sgWQoK/Yz/15HnClqDATQhqItG4+4SZDW/VywLgDUxfa+WXPqOFGdUv8AODAnWiz doOI58TajZTV4gyvp2fCH2sjvOOpfZ1AFn1m3Z6kT3c0otbNSfoZ48BBEZCJAAUR tChBYXJvbiBWYW4gQ291d2VuYmVyZ2hlIDx2YW5jb0Bzb25pYy5uZXQ+iQCVAwUQ NT0OcvoZ48BBEZCJAQENBQP9G/3B3HHQOYaea6ep1Z+0ZR/BtK3o2bPPdhVFEksT vwlvDYM01RouZoWZ91ixJVTp5r+ovq/4eFnrVk1IxjK6lEeXtKixrWKuyv3xVBa5 1snIrslc4t6zahBJx6i9OESgK69BDi0MMA8Y5jzz6I38vCZS1cFjwGZvzyINJEaF +Fg= =56FS - -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3a Charset: noconv iQCVAwUBNUSmSfoZ48BBEZCJAQEwVAP/XabxTwkAJ0FDzKHe89S0ImxrCevkE09a b9bYNFkC6KcCdyyj6spfv4ADdKAQEUzlYGbUXabLwyhHoWIXR4/FwBOBpV6qXfsB d0kAw/RwzksqVq3Zn2zeRCxwteV9J9KAS53/MoWPfB6EbtLJ6ia9QkFfS2Nqk90l 3YcXAiLnAwc= =9Aoa -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]