TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Changing our Language From:Romay Jean Sitze <rositze -at- NMSU -dot- EDU> Date:Tue, 19 Dec 1995 21:29:24 -0700
On Mon, 18 Dec 1995, Mercedes Abels wrote:
> Yes, Guy, some of us who are concerned with pronoun use are making
> aliving at technical writing. It is an issue that comes up in our work,
> in fact. Actually, I had a piece given to me today to rewrite because
> someone had used "their" instead of "the operator" or some other
> gramatically correct non-gender spacific term. The attorneys thoeugh the
> singular/plural confusion might come up in court if someone gets hurt
> using our product. It _is_ a real issue, not a silly little bone of
> contention for outrageous femi-nazis. (sorry, general response to spcific
> flame)
The legal ramifications of what we write are also responsible for the
concern many of us feel for correct grammar and usage.