Language is constantly changing.
An excellent example of this can be found in the exploration of neopronouns.
And no, this has nothing to do withThe Matrix.
What are neopronouns?
Before we explain neopronouns, let’s talk about pronouns in general, specifically as they relate to gender.
Pronouns are a part of a person’s gender.
They are the terms that individuals use to refer to themselves and to reflect their gender.
Common gender pronouns includeshe/her, he/him,andthey/them,and then there are also neopronouns, such asze/zirorfae/faer.
That’s where neopronouns come in.
“For some people, these pronouns recognizeboth their masculine and feminine sides.
For others, they help them express their unique gender identity to others.”
That said, using neopronouns is still relatively uncommon in the United States.
Neopronoun examples.
“These pronouns contain preexisting words that are used as pronouns.
They are a unique way of exploring one’s understanding of their own gender,” Graveris explains.
Some people even use emoji-self pronouns."
How to use neopronouns in a sentence.
with the neopronoun of the person you’re speaking about.
To help, Heather Bonikowski, a lexicographer atDictionary.com, suggests using the chart below.
This is a privilege for me [because] often universally used languages are rooted in the binary."
Other neopronoun users say the decision to use them is rooted in fun and personalization.
“Neopronouns are fun!”
one user wrote in arecent Reddit thread.
“They often fit better with how I feel, and they’re what you make of them!
Are [they] masculine?
Are they gender neutral?
I don’t care!
It’s up to me.”
Origins and history.
It was evenadded to the Merriam-Webster Dictionaryin 1934 but removed in 1961.
Novel forms like ’s/he' were used in the 1990s and early 2000s."
Neopronouns, however, are now primarily used by nonbinary people.
In 2021, AI writing assistant Grammarly added support for neopronouns includingxe/xem, ze/zir, ve/ver,andney/nem.
And social media sites like Facebook and Instagram allow users to pick from over 50 gender identities.
Still, we have ways to go.
Neopronouns and folks who use them have attracted quite a bit of criticism.
According to sexologistCarol Queen, Ph.D., pronouns in general have become a culture war issue of sorts.
They’re worried they’ll screw up and so are not very graceful about it overall."
Why pronouns matterfor everyone.
How to use neopronouns correctly:
Remember: This is about respect.
Don’t assume.
If you do nothing else, have a go at check that assumption!
Write it down.
Keep it moving.
Don’t do the latterit’s not about you.
