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TIP: Don't assume pronouns (DBO)

by Kermit @, Raleigh, NC, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 14:54 (3796 days ago) @ RaichuKFM

Eh, while "man" used to be the gender-neutral term I really wouldn't say that "he" was. It was used as such when necessary, but it was definitely the masculine. Whereas man went from meaning "human" to "male human". Oh well, this is literally semantics.

"Man" is a third case with its own nuances. I'm talking about how generic masculine pronouns were perceived and used by educated people in the past, and it was understood to be generic in certain contexts. Language is a living thing where perception often becomes reality, though, and the masculine pronoun began to take on political significance to some readers, and here we are, where we try to avoid that usage if we want to appeal to the widest audience. It's impossible to talk about this, though, without talking about politics, and this isn't the place.


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