Article published In: Nonbinary pronouns as a site of advocacy in research and teaching
Edited by Lex Konnelly, Bronwyn M. Bjorkman and Lee Airton
[Journal of Language and Sexuality 11:2] 2022
► pp. 141–164
Variation in English gendered pronouns
Analysis and recommendations for ethics in linguistics
Published online: 4 August 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/jls.20026.con
https://doi.org/10.1075/jls.20026.con
Abstract
This paper describes an ongoing shift in the pronominal system of English that is primarily related to transgender
and non-binary identities. Apparent time evidence suggests that this is an ongoing change, and metalinguistic comments support the
indexical link between the change and the increased visibility of transgender and non-binary English speakers. Sociopragmatic
variation enabled by this change shows that the pronoun system of English functions much less like a grammatical gender (noun
class) system, and much more like a system of honorifics. The second half of the paper puts forward a position for social justice
around pronoun use and gender autonomy, including advice for professional linguists who work in related fields.
Keywords: gender, pronouns, transgender, non-binary
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 1.Variation and change in the pronoun system
- 1.1Production of singular they in sociolinguistic interviews
- 1.2Online acceptability judgment study
- 1.3Pragmatics of pronominal choice
- 2.What should we do about it?
- 2.1How to start noticing
- 2.2How to talk about it
- 2.3How to teach it
- 3.Conclusion
- Notes
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