Community Chat

[SXMGirl]

I would not ignore this.  No matter that we live in a changing world, proper grammar is expected from adults and no amount of ridiculous college rules set by professors who have never had a real job is going to change that.  I have been an adjunct professor (business) and I always brought in the real world to my students.  I worry that common sense is going by the wayside.

If I am paying for my child's education, then I have an expectation of certain things to show for my money.  One of those things is that proper grammar is used.  Other than ridiculous social media norms, do businesses really hire people who cannot communicate effectively anymore?  

[sidsmom]

If someone’s in their 20’s, they’re living in a whole different world.

If she’s intelligent, she’ll figure it out.

If she’s respectful, she’ll figure it out.

If she’s compassionate, she’ll figure it out.

If she’s intelligent, respectful & compassion, that’s a winning combo!

Just let her be. She’s learning new & different things. 

College is more than a classroom...it’s Life training, as well. 

College 101.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Goldengate8361 wrote:

I don’t think it’s a big deal, particularly given how many “real” errors people in speaking every day. I am, however, very offended by folks using “he” generically. That is a sexist practice. I routinely correct people that insist on using masculine pronouns to represent everyone. 

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In the absence of first hand knowledge or knowing the person being addressed how would you address them generically?

[Lisa Y]

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@Imaoldhippie wrote:

Thats got to be one of the most stupid things I have heard in a long while.

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😁😁😁😁😁

[Vivian]

The English language has a problem. We have the plural, «they», but we do not have a singular equivalent. We have either he or she but what if we don’t know the gender of the person referenced? The French have the word “on” which can mean he, she, they, we...just about anyone. We have the word “one” as in “One doesn’t do that.” but it sounds stilted and awkward.

When I’m in France, I use that word «on» all the time. It eliminates the passive voice, which the French don’t like using and the pronoun can refer to anyone. We often use the word «they» to refer to one person, even though it’s incorrect. We just don’t have a good alternative. There’s a similar issue with the pronoun «you.» It’s the same in the singular and in the plural. That’s why we have regional expressions like «yous» and «you all» to make the distinction between a single «you» and a plural «you.» With all the words in the English language, you’d think someone ccould have created a few more pronouns,

[Boehm Collector]

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@petepetey wrote:

My college age child told me a friend of hers was traveling in Europe this week.

I asked 'who is she traveling with'?  She then told me she doesn't use 'she' anymore

it's 'they or 'them'.

This one is hard for me to wrap my head around. Why deny your gender? Is that a bad thing?  They or them is plural so are you speaking about one person or a group?

How can I understand this?

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@petepetey ....  I had this conversation with my 21 year old niece.  I believe we were talking about transgendered people.  She said that they should be referred to as "they".  Makes no sense to me.  

[mac116]

@SXMGirl

Being a professor IS a real job.  She may not have learned the pronoun usage in a classroom, but rather picked it up from other people or other sources.  I was an English major in college, but I sure don't remember having grammar classes.  Plenty of grammar in elementary and high school. Grammar usage WAS discussed when reading and critiquing literature in college.

[Johnnyeager]

I think that it's primarily non-binaries who insist on being called "they" .

True transgenders mainly indentify with the pronoun of their new gender.

Otherwise you're a cis-gender.

I know, I know.......

[Jaspersmom]

When it comes to grammar and usage, this is one thing that irks me.  A few years ago, it became acceptable to use "they" in place of "he" or "she."  One reason may be because it's gender neutral.  However, to me the real reason is many people have used "they", "them" and "their" incorrectly in their speech for so long that it's become acceptable in everyday usage.  To me it's wrong, wrong, wrong.  It's just another example of our standards being chipped away and too many people accepting mediocrity and worse.  How about people who use "have went" and "have swam?"  When I was in school, we had to memorize verb tenses and every kid learned how to use them correctly. I know there are more important things in life, but we are supposed to be a highly educated nation and sometimes I wonder if that's true anymore.  

[Ms tyrion2]

The transgender community uses they or them to refer to nonspecific groups of people. I think it's meant to not make identity by gender a "thing". My nephew is transgender and that is how he and his group of friends refer to each other.

It's not a lack of education or the downfall of society. It's just a way for a group of people to feel their way through society. It feels awkward to say it for me, but I can respect the intent.