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  • 95
    "Are there any objections to using singular they for everyone?" Largely depends on the context. Am I being forced to use singular 'they' under the threat of being suspended even though that's not a linguistic approach I'm comfortable with? Then, yes, I have objections. Or am I simply being encouraged to adopt singular 'they' because it's gender-neutral (and because we don't yet have an equivalent and popularized word in the English language, having a clear distinction between singular and plural)? Then, no, I don't have any objections as such.
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 7:31
  • 69
    [cont.] What's absolutely crucial to note here is that a vast majority of the population on this site are non-native English speakers. In my part of the world, singular 'they' is considered to be absolutely awkward and foreign. In fact, I had never even heard of that usage before joining Stack Exchange.
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 7:35
  • 11
    @Blue the language on this site is English, so you should use that language. If you want to be a part of the network, you should adapt to fit in. Simply stating that it is awkward is not a real objection, but something you should come to terms with.
    – Luuklag
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 7:37
  • 64
    You're missing the point. There are several variations of English. US English or UK English are not the only two. Forcing me to adopt those just in order to use this site is unacceptable to me. In that case, the site has to do without me, as such a policy is basically asking me to violate my own identity and roots. I will simply not come to terms with such a policy, at any cost.
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 7:38
  • 87
    @Luuklag So you would happily see my technically sound comments deleted and me being punished because I would have used 'he' or 'she' in them? And, of course, in the name of openness, tolerance and inclusivity? Sorry, but I came here to help people, whoever they are, with their technical problems, and I really don't feel welcome to participate in the world that your vision and rules try to build.
    – Thierry Lathuille
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 7:54
  • 14
    @ThierryLathuille "I really don't feel welcome to participate in the world that your vision and rules try to build."... not to mention, that brings in mental images of all kinds of dystopian societies. ;)
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 8:09
  • 59
    @Luuklag There's a vast difference between misgendering people and refusing to use non-binary pronouns or singular they as there are better alternatives. This is the exact source of confusion that led to Monica being unjustly fired. This debate/argument has been done and dusted several times in the past couple of days and I'm tired of it now.
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 8:11
  • 15
    Rather than add fuel to the dumpster fire based on speculation, why not wait until the new Code of Conduct is published, and then discuss what it actually says and requires?
    – Raedwald
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 8:17
  • 22
    @Raedwald Well, one counter-argument is that it might be too late by then. There's still a chance that they'll modify their envisioned CoC after seeing the responses here.
    – user437611
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 8:19
  • 13
    Objections from whom? If there exists even one person who objects, you have your answer. I am sure you can imagine such a person exists. So what is the point of the question? To poll for everyone who objects?
    – Raedwald
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 8:21
  • 16
    A lot of user in the review queue can barely talk in english. Please be inclusive and allow them this kind of cultural mistake. I dont care about all of this if I can understand their problem. You want to enfore something? I will trade any cultural identity problem for a better and more strict [MCVE] policy.
    – aloisdg
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 9:11
  • 14
    please don't use the phrase "preferred pronouns." Just say "pronouns". This isn't a preference. Is my "preferred name" Kate? Nope, it's my name. If you call me Kathy you're misnaming me, not just ignoring my preference. If you need to distinguish between someone's pronouns and the wrong pronouns, you could use adjectives like "correct" or "actual".
    – Kate Gregory
    Commented Oct 3, 2019 at 13:06
  • 8
    Sorry @tblue, you are entitled to your beliefs about gender identity, but you don't get to impose them on others. If someone wants a gender-neutral designation that's their choice to make.
    – PM 2Ring
    Commented Oct 4, 2019 at 5:17
  • 13
    @KateGregory you're misrepresenting what I said, I'll assume unintentionally. I wasn't saying that I get to choose what to call you, I was saying that insisting people say "pronouns" instead of "preferred pronouns" to legitimize an opinion with which many people disagree is exactly the type of newspeak language manipulation that is causing this problem.
    – zaen
    Commented Oct 4, 2019 at 17:05
  • 16
    @KateGregory I'm not the one asking others to change the way they use language to fit my worldview.
    – zaen
    Commented Oct 4, 2019 at 17:47