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dtgreene: People using "he" as a generic pronoun. It's as if people who go by different pronouns (particularly "she") are invisible.

Similar, people using masculine terms to refer to generic people or mixed gender groups of people.
What are the solutions to that. I come from the french language, where masculine is (masc+fem) plural and the default neutral pronoun. The only alternatives are tedious constructs such as "il/elle" etc, which I sometimes employ but it makes the sentence look like a math formula (and only functions in written format). In university, we had a cool reversal of it, where everything was feminized and a footnote specified that feminine default and plurals were meant to include masculine. That was a fun and refreshing perspective, but isn't more of a neutral solution than the traditional way...

So, in english, you have "they", which, if I got it correctly, can be used as a singular neutral ? I sometimes use it, but it "sounds" plural to me (due to how english was taught here), and I'm not totally at ease with that (english is still too foreign to me to feel completely self-assure when using unusual formulations). Also, at least you don't have gendered profession names. In french we often struggle to de-masculinize professions as these words often end with a very masculine suffix. A female "auteur" (author) is sometimes called "auteure", sometimes "auteur", sometimes (argh) "autrice", none is satisfactory. Greek is even more radical, as all profession words are 100% masculine (it sounds like we talk of a man whenever we call someone by her profession), which sounds even more awkward to me.

Gender hierarchy is deeply entrenched in language structure, but I don't think it's an easy issue that makes criticisms of language users very fair. Language, at this level, is a tough thing to overhaul. And, on this matter, seems to lack of any smooth alternative...

(Using accurate words when available, and avoiding stupid metaphors, is a whole other issue, and is much easier. So reproaches would be more justified there.)
Post edited June 22, 2015 by Telika
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dtgreene: People using "he" as a generic pronoun. It's as if people who go by different pronouns (particularly "she") are invisible.

Similar, people using masculine terms to refer to generic people or mixed gender groups of people.
What is the correct way to refer to both genders? I always get tired of writing "he/she" or "him/her" everywhere, when writing in general, or not knowing the sex of the person. It feels gimmicky.

In Finnish we don't have that problem, "hän" refers to both sexes. If you feel you have to point out the gender, you can say e.g. "that woman".
Post edited June 22, 2015 by timppu
low rated
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dtgreene: People using "he" as a generic pronoun. It's as if people who go by different pronouns (particularly "she") are invisible.

Similar, people using masculine terms to refer to generic people or mixed gender groups of people.
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tammerwhisk: ...Seriously?

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dtgreene: People using "god" as a proper noun, referring to a specific deity. It's disrespectful to any other deities that might (not) exist.
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tammerwhisk: ...This is a joke right?
Actually, I am being completely serious. For the second point, remember that not everyone shares your religion.

My preferred solution to the pronoun issue is to avoid pronouns as much as possible when no pronoun would work. Sometimes "one" can be used instead of a pronoun. Sometimes rewriting a sentence in the passive voice is the solution.

There, unfortunately, isn't a good way to refer to "both" genders in English. (Also, I should probably point out that gender isn't binary; there are people who identify as something other than male or female.)
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dtgreene: Actually, I am being completely serious. For the second point, remember that not everyone shares your religion.
It is kind of a fundamental point to basically every belief system ever that all the other belief systems are wrong. So expecting people to show reverence to other deities is to be frank... insane.

My preferred solution to the pronoun issue is to avoid pronouns as much as possible when no pronoun would work. Sometimes "one" can be used instead of a pronoun. Sometimes rewriting a sentence in the passive voice is the solution.
This basically only works in formal/semi-formal writing. For general or informal use it sounds very stilted.

There, unfortunately, isn't a good way to refer to "both" genders in English.
It is that way for many langauges. English isn't even on the same level as some lanaguages where basically everything is gendered.

(Also, I should probably point out that gender isn't binary; there are people who identify as something other than male or female.)
The last thing any language on the planet needs is a seperate term for each and every psychotic thing people on tumblr identify as.
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dtgreene: People using "he" as a generic pronoun. It's as if people who go by different pronouns (particularly "she") are invisible.

Similar, people using masculine terms to refer to generic people or mixed gender groups of people.
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timppu: What is the correct way to refer to both genders? I always get tired of writing "he/she" or "him/her" everywhere, when writing in general, or not knowing the sex of the person. It feels gimmicky.

In Finnish we don't have that problem, "hän" refers to both sexes. If you feel you have to point out the gender, you can say e.g. "that woman".
The English gender-neutral pronoun is "they". Make sure to use plural forms where applicable, such as "they are" instead of "he/she is".
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KiNgBrAdLeY7: On second thought, i take it ALL back. My REAL hatred is reserved for STEAM. There is nothing in this universe that i hate more than steam, period. It almost forced me off of pc gaming for good, approximately one decade ago. Thank god retail games weren't absorbed entirely by that service and you could still play games outside it...
Shame it couldn't force you off of here too! :P
Post edited June 22, 2015 by darthspudius
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Maighstir: The English gender-neutral pronoun is "they". Make sure to use plural forms where applicable, such as "they are" instead of "he/she is".
For real? First time I hear about such way to hide the gender. So for instance:

"Do you know the person who sold you that phone?"

"No, I don't know them." (since you are not sure about the sex)

Sounds an odd way to do it... Or if I am referring to you when talking to another GOGer, I should say "they wrote...", if I am not fully sure of your gender?
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KiNgBrAdLeY7: On second thought, i take it ALL back. My REAL hatred is reserved for STEAM. There is nothing in this universe that i hate more than steam, period. It almost forced me off of pc gaming for good, approximately one decade ago. Thank god retail games weren't absorbed entirely by that service and you could still play games outside it...
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darthspudius: Shame it couldn't force you off of here too! :P
In what ways would *you* be satisfied if i was to be gone from here? Just out of curiosity.
A New Beginning Final Cut.

Some of the worst voice acting I've ever seen in a game. Who did the direction for this the fuckin G Man?

Waste of my 99 cents.
People so inflated of their ego that they consider most other people as "inferior", and they deserve "personal loyalty" due to their "position".
fukin everthing thats wrong

fuking everything thats wrong

everything thats wrong
Post edited June 23, 2015 by djranis
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darthspudius: Shame it couldn't force you off of here too! :P
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KiNgBrAdLeY7: In what ways would *you* be satisfied if i was to be gone from here? Just out of curiosity.
The satisfaction that a person with no personality or sense of humour will be gone and stop making this place such a depressing place.
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Phc7006: People so inflated of their ego that they consider most other people as "inferior", and they deserve "personal loyalty" due to their "position".
Thats why I can never work in an office.
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djranis: fukin everthing thats wrong

fuking everything thats wrong

everything thats wrong
*has a drink with djranis* let us drown our sorrows together :(
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Wolfehunter: I hate assholes who try to force there nonsense onto me.
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tinyE: Shut up, sit down, and do as you're told loser! :D
In your dreams. :P