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Subject:Re: S/he discussion From:Beverly Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH1 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Wed, 20 Dec 1995 08:03:01 MST
I've come across the technique Phebe describes (see below), but
the gender is usually switched from chapter to chapter, not with
every few paragraphs. Even with the chapter method, though, it was
very noticeable. Switching gender after every few paragraphs would
be unbearable. I agree with Phebe--don't do it.
=*= Beverly Parks -- bparks -at- huachuca-emh1 -dot- army -dot- mil =*=
=*= SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL! =*=
=*= "Unless otherwise stated, all comments are my own. =*=
=*= I am not representing my employer in any way." =*=
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Phebe Knox wrote-->
> But I wanted to bring up my least favorite way of dealing
> with the problem, even worse than s/he: I just read a book
> in which the author simply switched pronouns every few
> paragraphs. No attempt at a write-around; just referred to
> psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. as "he" for awhile then
> as "she" for awhile. It had the effect of my never being
> able to forget about the gender/language issue and
> concentrate on the subject of the book, because I was
> constantly wrenched back to the issue of "fairness." I'd
> recommend we don't follow that route, anyway.
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