What are pronouns?
Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people. (i.e. they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his). We believe that it is important to give people the opportunity to state the pronoun that is correct to use when referring to them.
(This is NOT an exhaustive list. Any combination is possible!)
|
___ laughed. |
Ask ____! |
That’s ____ pen. |
That pen’s ____. |
Did ___ enjoy _____? |
|
co |
co |
cos |
cos |
coself |
|
en |
en |
ens |
ens |
enself |
|
ey |
em |
eir |
eirs |
emself |
|
he |
him |
his |
his |
himself |
|
she |
her |
her |
hers |
herself |
|
they |
them |
their |
theirs |
themself |
|
xie |
hir ("here") |
hir |
hirs |
hirself |
|
yo |
yo |
yos |
yos |
yoself |
|
ze ve |
zir vis |
zir ver |
zirs ver |
zirself verself |
Example: Ze reminded zirself to pick up zir umbrella before going outside.
How you could ask:“What pronouns do you use?” “What pronouns would you like me to use?” |
How you could share:“I’m Jade and my pronouns are ze and hir.” “Leo, I prefer they and them, but he is fine too.” “My pronoun is co.” |
Other approaches to pronouns:
“ Just my name, please.”
“ No preference!”
“It’s better if you mix ‘em up!”
“No pronouns for me!”
Ways to make language more inclusive:
“Hey, everyone” or "How are all y'all doing?" in a group setting instead of “Hey guys!” or “Hey ladies!" or "How are you guys doing?"
“They are a first year” when referring to a scholar instead of “they are a freshman”
Notice when someone refers to another person by their occupation if you naturally use a particular pronoun. (i.e. Person A: “I just got back from the doctor’s office.” Person B: “What did he say?”)