The Brian Lehrer Show
How Pronouns Evolve
Apr 4, 2025
John McWhorter, a Columbia University linguistics professor and author of Pronoun Trouble, delves into the fascinating evolution of English pronouns. He traces the historical journey of the singular 'they', highlighting its acceptance among literary greats while addressing resistance to gender-neutral language. The conversation explores the flexibility of English grammar, the decline of 'thou', and the importance of inclusivity in modern pronoun usage. McWhorter’s insights reveal how language adapts to cultural shifts, making this discussion both enlightening and engaging.
19:40
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Quick takeaways
- The historical evolution of pronouns in English illustrates the language's adaptability, revealing deeper cultural shifts and today's controversies surrounding gender identity.
- Proposals like using singular verbs with they and capitalizing it for non-binary references aim to enhance clarity amid resistance to changing grammatical norms.
Deep dives
Evolution of Language and Pronouns
Language is dynamic, with nouns, verbs, and adjectives frequently evolving over time; however, pronouns have been relatively stagnant until recently. The introduction of they as a singular pronoun for non-binary individuals highlights the need for linguistic adaptation, but it also creates confusion, particularly for older generations. This new usage of they has roots dating back to the Middle Ages, used by renowned literary figures such as Thackeray and Austen as a gender-neutral reference. Despite its long history, resistance to adopting they as a singular pronoun persists due to ingrained grammatical norms that prioritize traditional gendered terms.
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