Understanding Pronouns: Why Everyone’s Experience is Unique
It is a common misconception that everyone has different pronouns. Pronouns are not something one
has, but rather something one uses to refer to themselves or others. This article sheds light on the intricacies of pronouns and explains why every individual's experience with them can be unique and different from others.What Are Pronouns?
Pronouns are grammatical elements used in a language to avoid repeating a noun and to add variety to speech. In English, there are primarily seven pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. These pronouns can be used in both subjective and objective forms. For instance, the subjective forms are I, he, she, it, we, and they, and the objective forms include me, him, her, it, us, and them. Note that when people ask about one's pronouns, they generally are referring to the third person pronouns.
Personal Pronoun Choice
Everyone has the right to choose their pronouns based on how they identify. For some individuals, their chosen pronouns may align with the more traditional ones, such as he/him, she/her, or it/its. However, others may choose more gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them, ze/hir, or xem/xem, reflecting a broader understanding of gender identities.
Some individuals, like Michael Jackson, may use a unique pronoun such as hee/hee. It is important to note that respecting and using someone’s chosen pronouns demonstrates respect and inclusivity, helping to affirm their identity and making them feel more comfortable and valued.
Chosen vs. Unchanging Pronouns
While it's true that everyone may choose their own pronouns based on what feels most comfortable to them, it is not accurate to state that everyone has different pronouns. Pronouns act as the linguistic identifier for oneself or another. For example, hee/hee is a gender-neutral pronoun that Michael Jackson uses, which may differ from the more commonly used ones like he/him. However, even within the realm of gender-neutral pronouns, similarities can occur.
For instance, she/her and they/them can sometimes overlap, further illustrating that while everyone’s experience with pronouns is unique, there may be some overlap in the choices made by different individuals.
Unique Personal Names and Pronouns
Faithfulness to one's personal identity doesn't stop at pronouns. Just as people with the same names (like David Tepper) can exist, individuals can also share the same pronouns through unique personal experiences and self-identification. Personal names do not have to be the same to have identical pronouns.
It is also noteworthy that pronouns are a relatively new concept in the English language. According to Joan A. Fleitas, the notion of personal pronouns as individual identifiers is a relatively recent development in the lexicon. She states that prior to the 15th and 16th centuries, the concept of personal pronouns as individual identifiers is "impossible to find."
Conclusion
In conclusion, while everyone has the ability to choose and use their own pronouns, it is not accurate to say that everyone has different pronouns. Pronouns are a vital aspect of personal identity, and they are chosen based on an individual's self-identification. Respecting someone’s chosen pronouns is crucial for fostering inclusivity and demonstrating respect for their unique identity.