Re: Gender in languages (long)

[karen randolph <karen_randolph -at- HILLSPET -dot- COM>]

     I've been following this thread (and "your mail"), and thought I'd add
     a thought or two ...

     I am a female, raised by well-educated parents, and have always been a
     verocious reader.  I have occasionally felt like a "door was slammed
     in my face" due to my gender when applying for a job or while in
     school, but *never* when I was reading.  (Unless it was the author's
     intent to belittle a woman or women in general.)  I am not (and never
     have been) offended by "he" as the non-gender specific pronoun (used
     consistantly), although I am getting used to the non-grammatical use
     of singular "they."  After following this thread, I am wondering WHY I
     feel this way ...

     - I somewhat agree with the "age" reasoning presented, as I probably
     fall in the youngest (or borderline anyway) category.

     - I believe in righting the wrongs of all kinds of "legitimate"
     injustices, including women's rights, so it's not that I'm
     anti-feminist. (In fact, my husband's friends say far from it! <g>)

     - I have had a extensive, well-rounded education.  Can't be that.

     - My mother wants women priests in the Catholic church.  Can't be
     that my parents were "traditional."

     - I grew up with brothers (and a sister), and was afforded the same
     opportunities as they were, probably because I was loud and
     demanding.  (I think personality has a lot to do with all of this
     somehow ... The meek may inherit the earth, but the strong sure
     seem to be allowed to enjoy more of it now! <g>)

     So why am I not offended?  Maybe it's because of all of the above, AND
     because I grew up learning OTHER languages.  [George Allaman: maybe you
     tried to learn German too late in your education?]  Maybe if children
     who speak English are exposed to languages like French, German,
     Spanish, Latin, Italian, and so on, that have GENDER-SPECIFIC NOUNS,
     there would be less argument over the non-gender he/she pronoun.  I
     have traveled quite a bit, and have yet to hear the argument by a
     French woman that the feminine noun XXX is offensive.  (Maybe I haven't
     been in the right place?)

     I feel "mankind" means the universal "man." (BTW, I'm thinking Mann in
     German means "one," it's been awhile.) And, isn't there currently the
     theory of both sexes having "male" and "female" sides?  Well, I guess
     my "male" side gets the better of me sometimes! <g>

     Actions speak louder than words ... take your daughter to a female
     pediatrician, and she will know women can be doctors.  (But there may
     be a better male pediatrician in town!)

     To bring this back to technical writing, if there is a source that
     cites that using "they" is aacceptable, I would like to know. (So I
     can stop offending the general population, it seems.)

     Karen Randolph (speaking for myself)
     PSI
     karen_randolph -at- hillspet -dot- com