Pronouns

[interwyrm]

Does it bother anyone else how wizards deals with unknown gender pronouns? It makes it difficult for me to read their material. I suppose this could be a different situation entirely for female gamers. I don't know, I'm not one. It just throws me when they use the feminine pronouns for unknown gender players, 'cause I always learned that he/him/his was proper usage for unknown gender.

Other options I suppose are he/she or "he or she", both of which are cumbersome, and they/them/their, which is gramatically incorrect (although it does have precedent). Another option would be to just use 'it'.

I don't really mind when they use the female pronoun when the art for the character class or whatever is female, because then I can see a reason for it... but...

Well, ENWorld? What do you think, did wizards make the right choice?

 

[Nifft]

I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about. Could you give an example?

In my writing, I usually pick one sex for a class, hopefully randomly (but who really cares?). The reason I pick a definite sex for the whole length of a write-up is so that I can give examples of interaction with foes / allies and choose the OTHER sex pronoun for the other party. (E.g.: "The xtreme feintista may feint as a free action. She makes a bluff check, and if her opponent fails his sense motive + bab check, he is denied his Dex bonus to AC.")

-- N

 

[mhacdebhandia]

The D&D approach - use the gender of the iconic character, so monks and wizards are female, fighters and sorcerers are male - is pretty good.

However, I prefer "they/their", which is once again grammatically acceptable after being out of fashion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they#History

I agree with the modern usage of using "they" in reference to an unknown person of unspecified gender - for instance, "a wizard can conduct a special ritual to summon their familiar".

Wikipedia also tells me that my national government here in Australia formally recommends the use of singular they in official documents to avoid the use of gendered pronouns.

 

[arwink]

I noticed them doing it once, just long enough to be pleased that they'd done so, before it faded into the background and I stayed focus on the content. But then, I've work alongside a folks who are doing a thesis in gender-studies for the last five years..I've seen far more intrusive approaches to the pronoun problem.

 

[Sound of Azure]

I agree that it one was the correct usage to use he/his/him in text, but that is no longer the case. I'd prefer it personally if they use "they/them/their" derivatives, rather thn a direct statement of gendered pronoun, except where the gender has been stated (say, for a stat block).

It would probably cause a "what the...?" moment for me at first, to see it however!
I remember a similar "what the...?" moment when I opened up my first Players Handbook (in 1992) and saw the "Note on Pronouns" section at the beginning of that text. I honestly found it slightly condescending, although I'm not female.

Personally, the very common usage of female pronouns in the current edition may just be a case of swinging back in the opposite direction to earlier a touch too much. I'll be thankful when it all balances out... with the gender neutral terms.

I think I've rambled enough now....

PS: mhacdebhandia- I like your idea on using the gender of the Iconics, that's a cool idea!

 

[Aus_Snow]

You missed a rather significant option (one that has been used in print.. even in RPGs, in fact). But never mind that.

I believe that the approach used by WotC in these instances is the best of the lot. I find it easy to read, balanced, consistent, and coherent. What more could one want, I wonder?

Me personally? I use "they/them/their'", so to speak. But I certainly have no problem with this regular switching of gender pronouns.

 

[shilsen]

I think the WotC method works fine. As arwink said, after noticing it once I never noticed it again.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

PS: mhacdebhandia- I like your idea on using the gender of the Iconics, that's a cool idea!

Well, it's what the class descriptions do - check it out. While the text uses the plural frequently, discussing "clerics" and "druids", a singular member of any class is always referred to by the gender of the iconic.

Barbarians, bards, clerics, fighters, rangers, and sorcerers are described as male.

Druids, monks, paladins, rogues, and wizards are described as female.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Well, now. Isn't that something?

I'll have to pay more attention from now on!

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I agree that it one was the correct usage to use he/his/him in text, but that is no longer the case.

It is when I write; I use he, his, and him in their long-established inclusive sense.

I'd prefer it personally if they use "they/them/their" derivatives,

That's one of the more annoying options, IMO, because I see "their" being used as a singular pronoun. Using "her" as a generic pronoun can be distracting, but at least it's the correct number (i.e. singluar). Using "their" for a singular pronoun (e.g. "a fighter's best friend is their sword") is not only distracting because it's non-standard, but also because it's grammatically incorrect and outright poor English.