Gender Inclusive Language & Pronouns (2024)

FAQs

Gender Inclusive Language & Pronouns? ›

Note: It is also acceptable to use the third person plural (they, them, their, themselves) instead of the third-person singular (he/she, his/hers, him/her, himself/herself) when referring to someone who has not expressed a clear pronoun choice.

- he/him/his (for someone who might identify as male), - she/her/hers (for someone who might identify as female), - they/them/their (for someone who might not identify strictly as male or female, these pronouns are considered 'gender neutral'; also used when referring to multiple people).

Check through your work and replace 'he/she' with 'them' and if addressing letters or emails, use a gender-neutral address such as “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Student/Colleague”. Someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Non-trans is also used by some people.

Gender Inclusive Pronouns are pronouns that are not specifically gendered and can be utilized when referring to each other in the third person they are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people.

Ways to make language more inclusive:

Make a habit of introducing yourself with your pronouns, not just in LGBTQIA-specific situations. This makes sharing pronouns routine, instead of singling out certain people or communities. “Hi, my name is Hanna and my pronouns are she/her/hers.”

CORRECT: Students must bring their books to class. (“Their” agrees with “students” in that there is more than one student and they/their/them stands in for people.) CORRECT: Thomas doesn't like to read; he prefers to play cricket. (“He” agrees with “Thomas” in that it is singular in number and gender.

The most common gender-neutral pronouns are they/them/theirs, used in the singular to refer to an individual in a way that isn't gendered. Some people will use more than one set of pronouns, and you are encouraged to alternate among them in conversation.

Instead of "transvestite," please use "cross dresser." Instead of "hermaphrodite," please use "intersex." Instead of "hom*osexual," please use "gay" or "lesbian." Instead of "lifestyle" or "preference," please use "orientation" or "identity."

There are a number of personal pronouns used for different groups and identities: He/him/his: Male pronouns. She/her/hers: Female pronouns. They/them/theirs: Gender-neutral group pronouns and singular pronouns as well. Ze/zir/zirs: Neutral singular pronouns for those not wanting to use they/them/theirs.

Personal pronouns, a consciously chosen set of words that allow a person to represent their gender identity accurately,are a great example of inclusive language. Pronouns include both gendered pronouns like “He” and “She” as well as gender-neutral pronouns like “They” and “Ze.”

What is the difference between inclusive and exclusive pronouns? ›

An inclusive pronouns means 'we including the hearer', and an exclusive pronoun means 'we excluding the hearer'.

Most people think of pronouns as they fall within the gender binary– with men using he/him/his and women using she/her/hers. However, gender neutral pronouns such as they, ze, xe, and others exist and are often used by non-binary people, who do not associate themselves with genders of man or woman.

In some cases, these individuals may use gender-neutral or gender-inclusive pronouns, such as “they,” “them,” and many others (see below for additional examples). Using a person's correct pronouns provides gender affirmation, signals mutual respect, and creates a more welcoming and tolerant environment.

In order to teach pronouns in an inclusive way we need to incorporate singular they/them and make space for other sets of pronouns beyond the binary he/him and she/her. We, of course, continue to teach plural they too. They/them pronouns can be used in the following ways, and more: To refer to more than one person.

Given the key role of language in shaping cultural and social attitudes, using gender-inclusive language is a powerful way to promote gender equality and eradicate gender bias.

Pronouns can be in the first person singular (I, me) or plural (we, us); second person singular or plural (you); and the third person singular (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them, ze/hir) or plural (they/them). Gendered pronouns specifically reference someone's gender: he/him/his or she/her/hers.

Many nonbinary people use “they” while others use “he” or “she,” and still others use other pronouns. Asking whether someone should be referred to as “he,” “she,” “they,” or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but is one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone's identity.

Non-gendered or nonbinary pronouns are not gender specific and are most often used by people who identify outside of a gender binary. The most common set of nonbinary pronouns is they/them/their used in the singular (e.g., Jadzia identifies as genderqueer; they do not see themselves as either a woman or a man).

Quite a few languages throughout the world have a distinction between inclusive and exclusive person forms, rather than a single nonsingular person form 'we'. The inclusive form means 'you (singular or plural) and I', i.e. it includes the hearer, while the exclusive form means 'he/she/they and I', excluding the hearer.

Wikipedia's gender-neutral pronouns page lists 14 "non-traditional pronouns" in English, though three are variants of "ze". Other online resources for the non-binary community, however, offer hundreds of options . Some terms come from foreign languages - such as the German-inspired "sie" - others from fiction.

What are the pronoun options for gender? ›

Everyone has the right to use the gender pronouns that match their personal identity. These pronouns may or may not match their gender expression (how the person dresses, behaves, or looks). What are some commonly used gender pronouns? She, her, and hers and he, him, and his are the most commonly used pronouns.