Written by Azuka Onwuka - Nigeria
-Twitter @BrandAzuka
Azuka Onwuka |
One of the most awkward realities in the English language is the absence of a pronoun that can conveniently and precisely represent the expression "he or she" or its derivatives like "him or her," "himself and herself," etc.
In the old order when the world was unapologetically male-centric or chauvinistic, "he" was used to represent the unknown or unstated gender: "He who humbles himself will be exalted; he who exalts himself will be humbled."
In a bid not to be accused of continued linguistic discrimination against women, the plural pronoun "they" was adopted to represent "he or she" - that is, when the sex of the person in question is not stated or known. Let us take an example from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (7th edition). This is how the world-famous and well-respected dictionary defines the word "headstrong": "A headstrong person is determined to do things their own way and refuses to listen to advice" (emphasis mine). How can "is" (singular) and "their" (plural) and "refuses" (singular) all be used for the same subject in one sentence? This breaks the rudimentary rule of grammar.
Let's look at other similar examples in today's English where "they" is used to represent the singular unstated gender: 1. "It's so good when you love someone and they love you back." Someone would ask: Are you in love with one person or a crowd? 2. "Whom the cap fits, let them wear it." The question arises: Are you referring to one person or many people wearing one cap? Can more than one person wear a cap at the same time? 3. "Everyone should do what they think is right." Question: Is "every" not referring to one anymore? 4. "Each person should take care of their expenses." Someone would ask: When did "each" become a plural word?
There are language conservatives and purists across the globe - I am one of them - who feel shocked or uncomfortable when a noun is treated both as a singular word and a plural word in one sentence. Despite the incontestable authority and unimpeachable pedigree of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, I will NEVER use a similar statement in any speech or essay. If I did, I would feel that I had committed cold-blooded linguistic murder.
The repercussion of using "they" in place of "he or she" is that we have replaced one problem with a bigger problem. How can I explain to my little boy that "they" is a plural pronoun today and a singular pronoun tomorrow? If my son were to say then, "Daddy, they has come to see you," would I tell him, "That's wrong English, my son"?