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Subject:Re: Generic "he" summary From:Win Day <winday -at- IDIRECT -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 9 Aug 1995 09:05:14 -0400
Richard Mateosian wrote:
<snip>
>3. Attempts to avoid generic "he" call attention to themselves and offend
> readers who resent "political correctness"
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>We all shudder (or laugh) at abominations like s/he/it. However, recasting
>generic expressions in the plural or in the second person should raise no
>eyebrows at all. An occasional "he or she" is hardly noticable any more.
>Nor is "they" with a singular antecedent. Deferring to the feelings of those
>who feel excluded or insulted by generic "he" isn't political correctness,
>it's common courtesy.
<snip>
Richard, this is the best description of "political correctness" I have ever
seen. It all comes down to common courtesy.
Win
-----------
Win Day
Technical Writer/Editor
Email: winday -at- idirect -dot- com
