4 ms·

"ne" and "ner"?

catapart 4y ago
Sorry; They are just gender-neutral pronouns, since I don't know the comment author's gender. I find it easiest to parse, when reading, as "she" and "her", in my head, because trying to use "he" and "him" gets me mixed up when I read "ner". I know it's not the common pronouns, and I'm happy to use whatever "xe", "they", or [insert] anyone wants me to use, about them. But when I'm making the editorial decisions based on ignorance (don't know the person's pronouns and have no reasonable way to get them before publishing), I prefer the "ne" pronouns because they don't have the plural confusions* that "they" does, nor do they turn your mouth to mush when you try to pronounce them, like "ze"/"xe". *(heading this off at the pass) yes, "they" is often used singularly. But where "they" can, in contrived instances, be confusing as to whether you mean a group or not, "ne" simply doesn't have that problem. "ne" removes one more complication and I'm all for that. I also prefer plain JS to typescript; I'm aware that "simplicity" is a vice of mine.
- MockObject 4y ago
  "They" has been used for the unspecified singular in English since long before our births; "ne" is completely unfamiliar and resembles a typo. "The original poster said that their dog bit their cat, and then barked at their TV."
  - catapart 4y ago
    Yes, it has. And can still lead to confusion, in certain instances. I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone else, to write or speak the way I do. And I'm amenable to any specific person or group of persons representing their (<- there's one!) own interests telling me how to describe them. But I'm not particularly interested in etymological diatribes; I've seen them all and understand the arguments. I have made my decisions, and will continue to make my decisions, with all of those arguments in mind. Rest assured that you have nothing to gain by advocating them to me, as a third-party trying to police writing. I use "they" singularly, all the time, just like everyone else. And I use "ne" when I'm specifically acknowledging that I don't know the preferred pronouns, and have been left to fill them in using my own standards.
    - pixxel 4y ago
      > I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone else, to write or speak the way I do. This isn’t about you. We speak English on this forum, in fact it’s a requirement, please use it.
      - catapart 4y ago
        I'm sorry that you think you have a say in that. But I'll speak however I want to. Your criticism on this matter means nothing to me, so fire away.

"ne" and "ner"?

Sorry; They are just gender-neutral pronouns, since I don't know the comment author's gender. I find it easiest to parse, when reading, as "she" and "her", in my head, because trying to use "he" and "him" gets me mixed up when I read "ner". I know it's not the common pronouns, and I'm happy to use whatever "xe", "they", or [insert] anyone wants me to use, about them. But when I'm making the editorial decisions based on ignorance (don't know the person's pronouns and have no reasonable way to get them before publishing), I prefer the "ne" pronouns because they don't have the plural confusions* that "they" does, nor do they turn your mouth to mush when you try to pronounce them, like "ze"/"xe". *(heading this off at the pass) yes, "they" is often used singularly. But where "they" can, in contrived instances, be confusing as to whether you mean a group or not, "ne" simply doesn't have that problem. "ne" removes one more complication and I'm all for that. I also prefer plain JS to typescript; I'm aware that "simplicity" is a vice of mine.

MockObject 4y ago
"They" has been used for the unspecified singular in English since long before our births; "ne" is completely unfamiliar and resembles a typo. "The original poster said that their dog bit their cat, and then barked at their TV."
- catapart 4y ago
  Yes, it has. And can still lead to confusion, in certain instances. I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone else, to write or speak the way I do. And I'm amenable to any specific person or group of persons representing their (<- there's one!) own interests telling me how to describe them. But I'm not particularly interested in etymological diatribes; I've seen them all and understand the arguments. I have made my decisions, and will continue to make my decisions, with all of those arguments in mind. Rest assured that you have nothing to gain by advocating them to me, as a third-party trying to police writing. I use "they" singularly, all the time, just like everyone else. And I use "ne" when I'm specifically acknowledging that I don't know the preferred pronouns, and have been left to fill them in using my own standards.
  - pixxel 4y ago
    > I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone else, to write or speak the way I do. This isn’t about you. We speak English on this forum, in fact it’s a requirement, please use it.
    - catapart 4y ago
      I'm sorry that you think you have a say in that. But I'll speak however I want to. Your criticism on this matter means nothing to me, so fire away.