Using He or She - Are you confused?

A cryptic text message from my son read "Look up non-binary pronouns."  And I did.  What an intriguing topic.  The linguistic label for this class of words is a bit prissy, but the concept deals with much discussed topics in today's society.

First, in case you (understandably) slept through explanations of parts of speech in Freshman English, a simplified definition of a pronoun is a word that can be used in place of a noun.

The English pronouns "he" and "she," which are classified as binary pronouns. are often targets of current controversies.  Here's the issue.     

To refer to a third person with a pronoun, traditional English grammar forces us to decide if that person is male (he) or female (she).  This is not true of all world languages.   The Hawaiian language, for example, has one word, "ia," often written as "o ia,"  which can be translated as "he," she," or "it."

In today's American society, there are increasing numbers of people who self-identify as transgender.

Many attempts have been made recently to introduce new gender-neutral or non-binary pronouns.

One recommendation is to use what are called "splat pronouns," such as "*e" for either "he" or "she." The asterisk indicates ambiguity between male and female. Another formulation of less specific pronouns, "spivak pronouns," came into being in an online chat room where participants did not want to disclose their genders. These pronouns, such as "E" ("he, "she," "it), are attributed to Michael Spivak.

Still other trans-gender individuals use the pronoun "they" in a singular sense. "They,"of course, is gender-free.

You may wonder why American language has not caught up with the social acceptance of varying types of gender.  The answer may be because pronouns are classified as function words, along with other words such as conjunctions, prepositions, and articles.   These words contrast with content words, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.  (Stick with me here.) 

New content words come into our language at a dizzying speed.  Do you know the meaning of "crowdfund," "e-cigarette," or "jeggings"?  These new content words enter our language easily.

Linguists tell us that pronouns, being function words, belong to a closed class of words that seldom admits new members. When is the last time you learned of a new pronoun? I can remember an attempt by the Feminist Movement of the 1960's and 70's to introduce "s/he" as a neutral pronoun, but I don't believe the new pronoun caught on in widespread use.  So the numerous suggestions now being offered for non-binary pronouns may not enter the mainstream quickly. 

Until English grammar books catch up with societal mores, wearing name tags has been suggested as a way of training others to use new forms of address.

Now, who said pronouns were a dull, pedantic topic?  

Can introverts learn foreign languages?

"What is the best way to learn a foreign language?" people ask me, knowing that I am a language nerd.  If I only had a foolproof answer to that question!

I look at every piece of advice offered about language learning in books and magazines and online. One of the most common suggestions is to begin engaging in conversations with native speakers of the language. Who could argue with that?  Sounds like a no-brainer, right?  But what if you are an introvert?

Introverts are often accused of being shy, unfriendly, and antisocial. Oh, how misunderstood we are! Several good books have come out recently in defense of introversion.

I don't think introversion needs more defense on my part, maybe just a little understanding by the extroverts in the world who get so energized by conversation.  This is the issue:  introverts do not enjoy making small talk!  Small talk drains their energy, just like a cellphone battery loses energy when engaged. 

So you can see the dilemma the introverted language learner faces.  It would be great to strike up conversations with those who speak the new language.  Every conversation will be a mini language lesson. But the conversations will of necessity be small talk.  New language learners don't have the grammar or vocabulary to go into very deep subjects!  

For example, one suggestion I read recently was for the new language learner to ask people on the street what time it is (whether you really need to know the time or not) just for language practice. I can't see myself asking a stranger on the street about anything in any language!  It would make me very uncomfortable.  

So what is the introverted language learner to do? After all,  having conversations is definitely a way to expand language proficiency.  Here are three suggestions for fellow introverts:

* Realize that short conversation exchanges in the new language are good for you, and consider them the same way you would a shot of antibiotics at the doctor's office - not pleasant, but suffered for a good cause.

* Find another introverted person to practice the new language with.  Maybe you can even set a time limit so you both will know that the  small talk will end soon.

* Write more emails and text messages in the new language.  Emails and texts are not exactly like face to face conversations, but they generally use informal language.  And you have a chance to think about what you are saying!

Yes, of course introverts can learn foreign languages.  We can focus well on new information, we are persistent, and we are creative, all necessary character traits for successful language learning.  We just have to find our own ways of learning language.