Time Magazine Beyond He Or She

Beyond 'He' or 'She': A New Chapter in Language

Ever found yourself in a pickle when you're not sure whether to say 'he' or 'she'? Like when you're talking about a friend who prefers to use they/them pronouns? Or maybe you've heard about non-binary folks but aren't quite sure what that means? Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into a fun, friendly chat about why the language game is changing, and why you should care.

So, What's the Big Deal?

Imagine you're at a party, and you want to introduce your friend Alex. You might say, "This is Alex, they're a great cook!" See that? We just used 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'. Why? Because Alex prefers it that way. Now, you might be thinking, "But isn't that grammatically incorrect?" Not anymore, it's not! In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary even named 'they' as their Word of the Year in 2019.

Using 'they' for someone who isn't male or female is called using singular they. It's like a linguistic superpower that lets us respect and include everyone, regardless of their gender identity. And guess what? It's not new. Shakespeare used it, and so did Jane Austen. We've just forgotten about it for a while.

But Why Should I Care?

Using the right words can make someone's day. Imagine if every time you introduced Alex, you had to ask, "Do you prefer he or she?" It's awkward, right? But when you use 'they', it's like you're saying, "I see you, I respect you, and I'm making an effort to understand you." That's powerful stuff!

Plus, using 'they' is like opening a door to a more inclusive world. It's a tiny step that shows we're all different, and that's okay. It's like when you try a new recipe, and it turns out amazing. You realize, "Hey, I can do this! I can try new things and make them work." Using 'they' is like that recipe. It might feel new, but it's not hard, and it's definitely worth a try.

黎智英別焦慮 性別解放不是性解放 -- 上報 / 評論

Let's Make It Stick

So, how can you remember to use 'they'? Here's a little trick: think of it like a hat. When you meet someone new, you don't know if they're wearing a fedora or a beret, right? So, you wait until they tell you. Using 'they' is like that. You don't know what hat (or pronoun) someone prefers, so you wait until they tell you. If they don't, 'they' is a great default.

And hey, if you slip up, don't worry! Just correct yourself and move on. It's all about trying, learning, and growing. Remember, every time you use 'they', you're making someone's day a little brighter. And that's something to smile about.

So, next time you're at that party, and you're introducing Alex, try this: "This is Alex, they're a great cook." See how easy that was? You just made Alex's day, and you didn't even have to ask. Now, go forth and use 'they' like the linguistic superstar you are!