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Examining the use of singular they pronouns : a literature review and discourse analysis
Date:
2022
Type:
Text
Abstract:
This paper explores age and other factors that affect the use of the third person pronoun
they for singular and non-binary antecedents in English. Two methods were used for data collection: an online survey and individual interviews. Models laid out by Bjorkman (2017) and Konnelly and Cowper (2020) were used to categorize participants into 3 stages of the use of singular
they. However, these models may not account for all uses of singular they that arose in the data.
This led to the exploration of the possible effects of discourse features such as hypotheticality on
the use of singular they. These may help explain instances where speakers use singular they when
they would otherwise be unexpected to.
The age effects found in this study support previous research findings that younger speakers are more accepting of singular they than older speakers (Conrod, 2019; Moulton et al, 2020). Moreover, other factors such as being in the LGBTQIA2S+ community also affect the use of singular they (Bradley, 2020; Conrod, 2019; Hekanaho, 2020). The results also showed that some people are unaware of their own use of singular they. Furthermore, this thesis explores how some speakers resist singular they because they believe they is strictly a plural pronoun and supports previous findings that attitudes to language change can affect acceptance of singular they (Bradley, 2020).
This study is complemented by an overview of generic he and its effect on written English, which helps situate the current use of singular they. This informs the transition in English from gender exclusive language (the use of generic he), to gender-inclusive language (the use of he and she as generic pronouns), and finally to a gender-neutral language that is inclusive of not only masculine and feminine gender but other gender identities as well.
The age effects found in this study support previous research findings that younger speakers are more accepting of singular they than older speakers (Conrod, 2019; Moulton et al, 2020). Moreover, other factors such as being in the LGBTQIA2S+ community also affect the use of singular they (Bradley, 2020; Conrod, 2019; Hekanaho, 2020). The results also showed that some people are unaware of their own use of singular they. Furthermore, this thesis explores how some speakers resist singular they because they believe they is strictly a plural pronoun and supports previous findings that attitudes to language change can affect acceptance of singular they (Bradley, 2020).
This study is complemented by an overview of generic he and its effect on written English, which helps situate the current use of singular they. This informs the transition in English from gender exclusive language (the use of generic he), to gender-inclusive language (the use of he and she as generic pronouns), and finally to a gender-neutral language that is inclusive of not only masculine and feminine gender but other gender identities as well.
Description:
