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ashling

(25,771 posts)
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 09:20 PM Apr 2013

Sweden Adopts a Gender-Neutral Pronoun

http://www.care2.com/causes/sweden-adopts-a-gender-neutral-pronoun.html

Swedes are shaking up their language with a new gender-neutral pronoun. The pronoun, “hen,” allows speakers and writers to refer to a person without including reference to a person’s gender. This month, the pronoun made a big leap toward mainstream usage when it was added to the country’s National Encyclopedia.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/sweden-adopts-a-gender-neutral-pronoun.html#ixzz2QInEKfbX




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Sweden Adopts a Gender-Neutral Pronoun (Original Post) ashling Apr 2013 OP
Our language seems to be using "they" "them" and "their." hunter Apr 2013 #1
Spivak pronouns Sentath Apr 2013 #2
Methinks ... 'em ... is best. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #5
Oh, Auntie em! ashling Apr 2013 #13
I prefer a rosee. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #17
It'll take a while for that to catch on due to the already similar sound of the two genders DFW Apr 2013 #3
Nope ... hen is a female bird. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #4
Now don't fowl things up ashling Apr 2013 #6
C'mon In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #7
Don't let it ruffle your feathers! kurtzapril4 Apr 2013 #9
I am secure enough in who I am that names rarely have an affect on me. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #10
They're just trying to egg you on. EvilAL Apr 2013 #14
One hidden post this week is enough. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #15
Been 98 days since my last and only one. EvilAL Apr 2013 #16
That's two this year alone. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #18
Some people are proud of their hidden posts, EvilAL Apr 2013 #19
DU3 is different. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #21
The C-word is what did it for me, EvilAL Apr 2013 #22
I never say THAT! In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #23
I do, too much, EvilAL Apr 2013 #24
I live with 3 parrots ... curse words are a no-no. big time! In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #26
hahah, I've always wanted a parrot. EvilAL Apr 2013 #27
Yes! Oh My! In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #30
heheh EvilAL Apr 2013 #31
And make you scramble. n/t kurtzapril4 Apr 2013 #28
No one here but us chickens. eShirl Apr 2013 #25
just us chicks In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #29
When are we going to get a useable one in English? n/t Chan790 Apr 2013 #8
What is wrong with Sentath Apr 2013 #12
I never know what to say around anyone. olddots Apr 2013 #11
The official name of Sweden is Konungariket Sverige, the Kingdom of Sweden. rug Apr 2013 #20

hunter

(38,264 posts)
1. Our language seems to be using "they" "them" and "their."
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 12:36 AM
Apr 2013

Or contractions of those.

Like this:

Tell 'em I'll call 'em back.

Sentath

(2,243 posts)
2. Spivak pronouns
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 12:52 AM
Apr 2013

Though I find from reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spivak_pronoun that they should probably be called Elverson pronouns, though I personally use the LambdaMOO set with e for 3rd person singular.

DFW

(54,055 posts)
3. It'll take a while for that to catch on due to the already similar sound of the two genders
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 08:07 AM
Apr 2013

And if they talk quickly, you have to listen hard to catch the difference anyway. By the way, in Swedish, the "hon" is pronounced like the English "hoon," but abruptly, without dragging the sound out.

I remember when I first started taking Swedish in college, and after the winter break, our professor came back from Sweden and announced that the formal 2nd person singluar form of address (like the French "vous," the Russian "Вы," the German "Sie," or the Spanish "Usted&quot was no longer in use, and that everyone now just used the informal "du." So she started doing that in class, and here we were addressing this very formal professor using the same form as we used to address the student sitting at the next desk.

EvilAL

(1,437 posts)
16. Been 98 days since my last and only one.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:12 PM
Apr 2013

Not really living up to the "Evil" part of my username eh? heh

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
18. That's two this year alone.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:18 PM
Apr 2013

Honestly, don't know what's gotten into moi.
But ... one or two well meaning DUers are begging me ...
don't stop.

EvilAL

(1,437 posts)
19. Some people are proud of their hidden posts,
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:22 PM
Apr 2013

I've been here a while, but only starting posting semi-regularly lately, so I prefer not to break too many standards and rules...

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
21. DU3 is different.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:26 PM
Apr 2013

I really do try not to break any rules.
I just find human sexuality fascinating in all non-painful aspects.

EvilAL

(1,437 posts)
24. I do, too much,
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:38 PM
Apr 2013

but not to any specific thing or person, I don't call people that word, it just comes out, been saying it so long... My girlfriend is slowly weening me off it. I swear A LOT!!!

 

olddots

(10,237 posts)
11. I never know what to say around anyone.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 12:17 PM
Apr 2013

Wish our language wasn't so gender explicate or in such a hurry to judge .

A boat or ship is a she --- I had a van that I thought was male but my pickup truck is a girl -----our dogs seem like different genders

My transgender friends and family make me constantly be on my toes but I know they forgive me when I have a lapse of verbal sense .


Even slang is confusing --is a doofus male when a dweeb may be unisex ?

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