Well Said Wednesday: Listen to What They Say About "They"

April 07, 2021 in Message Basics, The Writing Habit

Dictionaries and grammar "rules" don't have the final word on language -- and believing they do can harm more than help, especially for the trans community. Sociolinguist Archie Crowley deconstructs three common myths around language, demonstrating how it's a fluid system that naturally evolves in the direction of inclusion.

Last week, I re-ran a blog post about honoring people’s pronouns in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility.

Then later in the week, I came across this 2020 TedX talk by Sociolinguist Archie Crowley. They have a unique perspective as both a linguist and a nonbinary person. Give it a listen.

For me, it helped expand my thinking about evolving language and seeing the world from a point of view different from mine.

Well said, Archie.

“Well Said Wednesday” is a blog by Barbara Govednik, Founder, Content Coach & Message Strategist of 4.23 Communication. It’s published every other Wednesday…ish (when not on hiatus , or faux hiatus.)

Well Said Wednesday: Three Cheers for "They" on International Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2021 in Message Basics

The bottom line is that it’s not about me or what I’m “used” to.

It’s about giving people space to live their lives authentically, respecting choices, meeting people where they are, and not imposing my point of view on the world.

Well Said Wednesday: Three Cheers for "They"

December 18, 2019 in Message Basics

I’ll admit that using “they” for individuals feels a little weird for me. But only because I’m old and it’s habit. That “rule” was ingrained in me at age 10 or so and I spent years editing it out of people’s content.

So, I’ll get over the weirdness. I’ll stumble sometimes, I’ll slip up and revert, but I’ll keep at it. It’s just habit and habits get broken everyday. Bottom line, it’s not about me or what’s “normal” to me.