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One point, the singular they has been in use for centuries, where this essay suggests it's a recent invention.
by James_K 2y ago
One point, the singular they has been in use for centuries, where this essay suggests it's a recent invention.
- networked 2y agoThe essay doesn't really say anything about when the singular "they" was invented. What it says is that it used to be low-status and unsophisticated language. > In the 1970s, fancy people would have sniffed at using “they” rather than “he” for a single person of unknown sex like this. But today, fancy people would sniff at not doing that. How did that happen? > I think “they” climbed the prestige ladder—people slowly adopted it in gradually more formal and higher-status situations until it was everywhere.
- dahart 2y agoThe essay’s narrative is overly simplified and misleading about details. Singular they has been common for centuries. The idea that it was lower status is a more recent invention. The author might be referring more to use of they as a personal pronoun. Anyway, whatevs, language changes, that part of author’s message is good.
- Tao3300 2y agoYeah, I'm old enough that I remember being taught not to use singular they in elementary school, but I'm young enough that he/she was given as the preferred alternative.