Pronouns: Difference between revisions

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There have been a few surveys on gender-neutral pronouns and pronoun preferences.
There have been a few surveys on gender-neutral pronouns and pronoun preferences.
* [http://anlamasanda.tumblr.com/post/15140114246 This survey by anlamasanda on Tumblr] ran for many months. The results were published at the start of 2012, and showed that of the 800+ people responding, '''singular "they"''' was the most popular pronoun at '''62%'''. [http://anlamasanda.tumblr.com/psurvey Commentary.]
 
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiVvhUyACboSdG56TmczMmtGbFJCOVg1dTdUVFp1enc#gid=1 This survey by Lottelodge (now cassolotl) on Tumblr] ran for two months. The results were published in July 2013, and showed that of over 2,000 respondents '''singular "they"''' was the most popular pronoun at '''63%'''. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/54769253277 Commentary.] This rose to 74% in 2015,<ref name="CassolotlNBGQ2015">[http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/111585517125 Nonbinary Stats 2105 (Worldwide) - the results], published 20 Feb 2015</ref> and 77% in 2016.<ref name="CassolotlNBGQ2016">[http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/137953257500 NB/GQ Survey 2016 - the worldwide results], published 20 Feb 2015</ref>
*[http://anlamasanda.tumblr.com/post/15140114246 This survey by anlamasanda on Tumblr] ran for many months. The results were published at the start of 2012, and showed that of the 800+ people responding, '''singular "they"''' was the most popular pronoun at '''62%'''. [http://anlamasanda.tumblr.com/psurvey Commentary.]
* [http://nonbinarystats.tumblr.com/post/141311159050/nbgq-survey-2016-the-worldwide-results Nonbinary Stats Survey of 2016] ran in January for 8 days, and published its results in March. The most popular pronoun was "they," at 77.5%, followed by she, he, "mix it up," and a preference to not have others pronouns for one at all. The survey recorded 123 different pronoun sets in use among 3055 nonbinary people, of which, 90 pronouns were entered only once.
*[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiVvhUyACboSdG56TmczMmtGbFJCOVg1dTdUVFp1enc#gid=1 This survey by Lottelodge (now cassolotl) on Tumblr] ran for two months. The results were published in July 2013, and showed that of over 2,000 respondents '''singular "they"''' was the most popular pronoun at '''63%'''. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/54769253277 Commentary.] This rose to 74% in 2015,<ref name="CassolotlNBGQ2015">[http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/111585517125 Nonbinary Stats 2105 (Worldwide) - the results], published 20 Feb 2015</ref> and 77% in 2016.<ref name="CassolotlNBGQ2016">[http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/137953257500 NB/GQ Survey 2016 - the worldwide results], published 20 Feb 2015</ref>
*[http://nonbinarystats.tumblr.com/post/141311159050/nbgq-survey-2016-the-worldwide-results Nonbinary Stats Survey of 2016] ran in January for 8 days, and published its results in March. The most popular pronoun was "they," at 77.5%, followed by she, he, "mix it up," and a preference to not have others pronouns for one at all. The survey recorded 123 different pronoun sets in use among 3055 nonbinary people, of which, 90 pronouns were entered only once.


==How to change your pronouns==
==How to change your pronouns==
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If you are nonbinary and want to change your pronouns, this is a purely social part of your transition, rather than one using paperwork. First, you need to put a lot of thought into choosing pronouns that feel satisfactory to you. Research and experiment to find out what feels right. Next, you need to tell other people. As a part of social transition, you need cooperation from other people in order to be called by the pronouns you want, so it's important to keep your composure as well as stay firm. You can help remind people of your pronouns by wearing them on a badge or writing them in your Twitter profile.
If you are nonbinary and want to change your pronouns, this is a purely social part of your transition, rather than one using paperwork. First, you need to put a lot of thought into choosing pronouns that feel satisfactory to you. Research and experiment to find out what feels right. Next, you need to tell other people. As a part of social transition, you need cooperation from other people in order to be called by the pronouns you want, so it's important to keep your composure as well as stay firm. You can help remind people of your pronouns by wearing them on a badge or writing them in your Twitter profile.


=== Choosing your pronouns ===
===Choosing your pronouns===
First, form your opinions on what you want from your new pronouns. Next, list your favorite pronouns, and compare them to your opinions so that you can list their pros and cons. Meanwhile, test your favorite pronouns out loud and in writing, to see how they feel to you in action.
First, form your opinions on what you want from your new pronouns. Next, list your favorite pronouns, and compare them to your opinions so that you can list their pros and cons. Meanwhile, test your favorite pronouns out loud and in writing, to see how they feel to you in action.


==== Form opinions ====
====Form opinions====
You can use several criteria to help rank and decide between different pronouns. See [[Pronouns criteria]] for a whole list.
You can use several criteria to help rank and decide between different pronouns. See [[Pronouns criteria]] for a whole list.


==== Compare them ====
====Compare them====


Next, after you decide what criteria you want for your pronouns, browse the alphabetical list of all pronouns below. Write down a list of the ones you like. Put them in a table, with columns for what you see as the good and bad traits of those pronouns. After you finish assessing them all, write down your concluding opinion about each in the last column. Here is a small example of such a table.
Next, after you decide what criteria you want for your pronouns, browse the alphabetical list of all pronouns below. Write down a list of the ones you like. Put them in a table, with columns for what you see as the good and bad traits of those pronouns. After you finish assessing them all, write down your concluding opinion about each in the last column. Here is a small example of such a table.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Pronoun
!Pronoun
! Pros
!Pros
! Cons
!Cons


! Conclusion
!Conclusion


|-
|-
| ve, verself
|ve, verself
| Used in a book I like
|Used in a book I like
| Doesn't sound right to me
|Doesn't sound right to me


| Maybe no
|Maybe no
|-
|-
| E, Emself
|E, Emself
| Common, easy to say
|Common, easy to say
| Too short?
|Too short?


| Maybe yes
|Maybe yes
|}
|}


You can use the above table as your template. Create your own table in a word processor, or draw it by hand in your journal. Although the above table only compares two sets of pronouns, you can add rows for as many pronouns that interest you. You don't need to form your conclusions on all pronouns in one sitting. Perhaps over the course of a few days, take your time to form your opinions on each pronoun set, and return periodically to add more notes to your pronoun table.
You can use the above table as your template. Create your own table in a word processor, or draw it by hand in your journal. Although the above table only compares two sets of pronouns, you can add rows for as many pronouns that interest you. You don't need to form your conclusions on all pronouns in one sitting. Perhaps over the course of a few days, take your time to form your opinions on each pronoun set, and return periodically to add more notes to your pronoun table.


==== Test them ====
====Test them====


At the same time as you work on the above table of pros and cons, test the pronouns that you might like. Try them in several ways: in writing, out loud, and in reference to you. If you have friends who understand, test out having them call you by these pronouns for a little while. You can help your friends with this by wearing a pronoun badge (see below). You can also test how your pronouns look in writing by using web-sites that put them into a text. Such sites include [http://www.pronouns.failedslacker.com/ Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room], [https://pronoun.is/ Pronoun Island] and [http://www.practicewithpronouns.com/ PracticeWithPronouns.com]. You may find that you feel differently about the pronouns when they are in action, and when they are in reference to you.
At the same time as you work on the above table of pros and cons, test the pronouns that you might like. Try them in several ways: in writing, out loud, and in reference to you. If you have friends who understand, test out having them call you by these pronouns for a little while. You can help your friends with this by wearing a pronoun badge (see below). You can also test how your pronouns look in writing by using web-sites that put them into a text. Such sites include [http://www.pronouns.failedslacker.com/ Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room], [https://pronoun.is/ Pronoun Island] and [http://www.practicewithpronouns.com/ PracticeWithPronouns.com]. You may find that you feel differently about the pronouns when they are in action, and when they are in reference to you.
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When you have settled on your favorite set of pronouns, you need to tell people, so they can start using them for you. Announce it to them by a handwritten letter, e-mail, or blog post. Keep your message polite, and say "please" and "thank you." In order to be complete, and to address the first questions the reader might ask, your announcement should include these parts:
When you have settled on your favorite set of pronouns, you need to tell people, so they can start using them for you. Announce it to them by a handwritten letter, e-mail, or blog post. Keep your message polite, and say "please" and "thank you." In order to be complete, and to address the first questions the reader might ask, your announcement should include these parts:


* Opening: Assuming that you have already [[come out]] to these people as nonbinary, your announcement message should open with a reminder of that, as part of the explanation for why you want to change your pronouns.
*Opening: Assuming that you have already [[come out]] to these people as nonbinary, your announcement message should open with a reminder of that, as part of the explanation for why you want to change your pronouns.
* List all the grammatical forms of your new pronouns.
*List all the grammatical forms of your new pronouns.
* Show people how to use these pronouns by giving an example of them in use in a sentence or several.
*Show people how to use these pronouns by giving an example of them in use in a sentence or several.
* You might tell how to pronounce the pronouns.
*You might tell how to pronounce the pronouns.
* Briefly say why you chose these pronouns rather than others.
*Briefly say why you chose these pronouns rather than others.
* If you use two sets of pronouns, explain which set is more appropriate, under what conditions.
*If you use two sets of pronouns, explain which set is more appropriate, under what conditions.
* Conclusion: Request that people use these pronouns for you.
*Conclusion: Request that people use these pronouns for you.


Based on the above, here is a [[template letters|sample letter]] of a fictional person announcing their pronoun change. You can use it as a template for writing your own.<blockquote>Dear Stuart,</blockquote>
Based on the above, here is a [[template letters|sample letter]] of a fictional person announcing their pronoun change. You can use it as a template for writing your own.<blockquote>Dear Stuart,</blockquote>
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You can also use the above sample letter as a template for writing an e-mail, just by leaving out the signature. Use it as a template for a blog post by leaving out the salutation.
You can also use the above sample letter as a template for writing an e-mail, just by leaving out the signature. Use it as a template for a blog post by leaving out the salutation.


=== Pronoun badges ===
===Pronoun badges===
To help other people remember which pronouns you want to be called by, you can wear a badge, jewelry, accessory, or piece of clothing with your pronouns written on it. Learn more at [[Pronoun badges]]
To help other people remember which pronouns you want to be called by, you can wear a badge, jewelry, accessory, or piece of clothing with your pronouns written on it. Learn more at [[Pronoun badges]]


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'''de, dem, deres'''<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>
'''de, dem, deres'''<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>


'''hen, hen, hens'''<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref> (neopronoun - the variants hæn and høn are equally proposed.)<ref >https://sproget.dk/raad-og-regler/artikler-mv/svarbase/SV00016738</ref> <ref >https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/han-hun-eller-hoen/13013a26-ec3f-4c10-9833-d80a0fd6ea7e</ref>
'''hen, hen, hens'''<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref> (neopronoun - the variants hæn and høn are equally proposed.)<ref>https://sproget.dk/raad-og-regler/artikler-mv/svarbase/SV00016738</ref> <ref>https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/han-hun-eller-hoen/13013a26-ec3f-4c10-9833-d80a0fd6ea7e</ref>


==Dutch neutral pronouns==
==Dutch neutral pronouns==
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'''hän, hänen'''. Formal.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>
'''hän, hänen'''. Formal.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>


'''se, sen'''. Means "it." Informal.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>
'''se, sen'''. Means "it." Informal but used a lot in slang.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns"></ref>


==French neutral pronouns==
==French neutral pronouns==
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People have proposed and are using these neutral pronouns in the German language (Deutsch):
People have proposed and are using these neutral pronouns in the German language (Deutsch):


=== Solutions without neopronouns ===
===Solutions without neopronouns===
'''er*'''.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns" /> he*.
'''er*'''.<ref name="rabbitglitter ML pronouns" /> he*.


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'''Alternating between he and she.'''
'''Alternating between he and she.'''


=== Neopronouns ===
===Neopronouns===
'''A.'''<ref>Die Sache mit den Pronomen. ''Hirngefickt.'' January 3, 2016.https://hirngefickt.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/die-sache-mit-den-pronomen-2/</ref> First mention by a person who's name starts with A.
'''A.'''<ref>Die Sache mit den Pronomen. ''Hirngefickt.'' January 3, 2016.https://hirngefickt.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/die-sache-mit-den-pronomen-2/</ref> First mention by a person who's name starts with A.


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{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


== West Frisian neutral pronouns ==
==West Frisian neutral pronouns==
Some neutral pronouns in West Frisian language (Frysk) include:
Some neutral pronouns in West Frisian language (Frysk) include:


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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Gender neutral language]]
* [[Celebrity pronoun project]]


== External Links ==
*[[Gender neutral language]]
* [http://web.mit.edu/trans/GenderNeutralPronouns.pdf MIT’s Ally Toolkit: Gender Neutral Pronoun Usage (PDF)]
*[[Celebrity pronoun project]]
* [http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quickhelp/grammar/nonbinary.html University of Minnesota's guide to Nonbinary gender pronouns]
 
* [http://genderneutralpronoun.wordpress.com/ Gender Neutal Pronoun Blog] has a good list of pronouns, both traditional and invented.
==External Links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100324132646/http://www.aetherlumina.com/gnp/ Gender Neutral Pronoun FAQ]. This was the biggest resource on gender-neutral pronouns. Tells much about history. Includes a comprehensive list of pronouns. No longer updated.
 
* [http://www.pronouns.failedslacker.com/ Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room]. Choose a set of pronouns, and this page will show you how those pronouns look in action, by automatically putting them into sample texts from literature. Use this tool to test pronouns that you like, to see how they look in use.
*[http://web.mit.edu/trans/GenderNeutralPronouns.pdf MIT’s Ally Toolkit: Gender Neutral Pronoun Usage (PDF)]
* [http://www.practicewithpronouns.com/ Practice With Pronouns]. A game that lets you practice putting pronouns into different parts of sample sentences, so that you can get used to the grammar.
*[http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quickhelp/grammar/nonbinary.html University of Minnesota's guide to Nonbinary gender pronouns]
* [http://pronoun.is/ Pronoun Island]. Anyone can put in any pronouns they can imagine, and it makes a page that shows how to use them in a sentence, which a person can link to in order to show these particular usage examples to other people.
*[http://genderneutralpronoun.wordpress.com/ Gender Neutal Pronoun Blog] has a good list of pronouns, both traditional and invented.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100324132646/http://www.aetherlumina.com/gnp/ Gender Neutral Pronoun FAQ]. This was the biggest resource on gender-neutral pronouns. Tells much about history. Includes a comprehensive list of pronouns. No longer updated.
*[http://www.pronouns.failedslacker.com/ Failedslacker's Pronoun Dressing Room]. Choose a set of pronouns, and this page will show you how those pronouns look in action, by automatically putting them into sample texts from literature. Use this tool to test pronouns that you like, to see how they look in use.
*[http://www.practicewithpronouns.com/ Practice With Pronouns]. A game that lets you practice putting pronouns into different parts of sample sentences, so that you can get used to the grammar.
*[http://pronoun.is/ Pronoun Island]. Anyone can put in any pronouns they can imagine, and it makes a page that shows how to use them in a sentence, which a person can link to in order to show these particular usage examples to other people.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references />


[[Category:Practical resources]] [[Category:Language]] [[Category:Gender neutral language]] [[Category:Transition]]
[[Category:Practical resources]]  
[[Category:Language]]  
[[Category:Gender neutral language]]  
[[Category:Transition]]