Have you ever wondered what the terms (they/them) below a person’s email signature mean? Or why has the ubiquitous “she”, used regularly in academic writing, been ousted by the singular “they”? Does this mean we are turning into a gender-free world? The truth is, we have finally recognized that gender is beyond the two binaries, and sexuality has more types than there are colours in a rainbow. Alternate pronouns are a way to make the multitudes feel included. These are the pronouns of diversity and inclusiveness.

The need for alternate pronouns

Traditional English speakers, the Grammar-Mafia and the genuinely perplexed, often demand why have alternate pronouns? One way to respond to this would be to ask why not have alternate pronouns? After all, we live in a democratic country. If a person wishes to be addressed in a particular manner, they have the freedom to do so. A deeper, more complex answer is based on the history of exclusion experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. In a world where spaces for persons of the LGBTQ+ community are limited, the vocabulary they could adopt was even more restrictive. In this context, it is easy to understand the desire of a Trans/non-binary person to adopt the singular “they” instead of “he” or “she”. Identity plays a crucial role in how people perceive themselves; accordingly, people must be allowed to choose the terms by which they choose to be addressed if that makes them feel comfortable.

The opposition to alternate pronouns

Some people cringe at using the singular “they” or claim that it would be grammatically incorrect for them to do so. In an excellent TED Talk, Archie Crowley, a linguist, points out that language evolves over time and that the English language has also not remained constant. He gives the example of the word “thou”, which was used historically to address a single person, whereas “you” was used for more than one person. However, over time, “thou” vanished from people’s vocabulary, and they started using “you” even for a single person. Crowley says that, similarly, it is not grammatically inaccurate to use the singular “they” and that, probably with time and acceptance, it will become a natural part of people’s vocabularies. Archie Crowley also reveals that people often rely on dictionaries to argue against using the singular “they” however, they are mistaken. Dictionaries chronicle language that people are using, and, as language changes, dictionaries change accordingly. Dictionaries today are proactively keeping up with the vocabulary of the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, there is no linguistic reason to oppose alternate pronouns. People have to realize that they are creating barriers between themselves and the LGBTQ+ by not using them.

Alternate pronouns aid communication

Many people in the LGBTQ+ community, notably Trans people, moan about the fact that they experience a regular onslaught of misconceptions from the people around them. This is mostly because the people in their lives are reluctant or too embarrassed to inquire from them about how they would prefer to be addressed. This creates obstacles in relationships between families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, it is better to ask the LGBTQ+ person in your life how they would like to be addressed. If by mistake you don’t address them properly in the first go, then just apologize and urge them to correct you in the future. Rainmaker's upcoming

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Author: Pallavi Mohan Editor: Sumali Nagarajan

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