The Rise of "They" Pronouns
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch
The use of singular "they/them" pronouns to refer to individuals who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming is becoming increasingly common. A recent study examined how the adoption of these pronouns is impacting language and societal perceptions of gender.
Changing Usage of "They"
Traditionally, "they" was used as a gender-neutral singular pronoun when the antecedent's gender was unknown or unspecified. However, in the last decade there has been a growing trend of using "they" as an explicit pronoun for individuals who do not identify as solely male or female. This usage, referred to as "nonbinary they", is often preferred by people who identify as gender non-binary, genderqueer, or non-gender conforming.
The study notes that the entrance of nonbinary "they" has the potential to reshape both language processing systems and mainstream concepts of gender identity. As pronouns are highly frequent words, nonbinary "they" is likely to be encountered regularly when referring to individuals who use those pronouns.
Factors Influencing Adoption
The researchers conducted experiments to examine factors that influence the adoption and comprehension of nonbinary "they". One key finding was that participants were much more likely (77% vs 8.6%) to use "they" when referring to androgynous-presenting individuals if they had previously encountered "they" being used for those individuals. This suggests that exposure and context play a significant role in facilitating the use of nonbinary pronouns.
Another factor is whether an individual's pronouns are explicitly stated upfront. People are more likely to interpret "they" as a singular pronoun when pronouns have been explicitly introduced (e.g. "Alex uses they/them pronouns").
Broader Implications
The study highlights that the increasing use of nonbinary "they" is part of a broader shift in how gender is perceived and discussed in society. As the researchers state, "changing concepts of gender may influence the pronominal system." The adoption of singular "they" both reflects and enables greater recognition of non-binary gender identities.
While some may resist this linguistic change, the study's findings suggest that repeated exposure and clear contextual cues can facilitate comprehension and adoption of nonbinary pronouns over time. As societal awareness of gender diversity grows, the use of "they/them" as personal pronouns seems poised for wider acceptance.
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