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THE SINGULAR PRONOUN ‘they’ has been named word of the decade by a group of US linguists.
The choice was made at an annual poll by the American Dialect Society on Friday in the United States, where voters also selected ‘[my] pronouns’ – such as she/her, he/him or they/them – as their word of the year for 2019.
Ben Zimmer, chair of the American Dialect Society’s new words committee said: “When a basic part of speech like the pronoun becomes a vital indicator of social trends, linguists pay attention.
“The selection of ‘[my] pronouns’ as word of the year speaks to how the personal expression of gender identity has become an increasing part of our shared discourse.
“That trend is also reflected in singular ‘they’ being chosen as word of the decade, with a growing recognition of the use of they for those whose identities don’t conform to the binary of he and she.”
‘They’ is often used as a personal pronoun by those who identify as gender non-binary. Last month, ‘they’ was named word of the year by US dictionary Merriam-Webster.
In September 2019, singer Sam Smith announced they were changing their pronouns to they/them, saying: “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.”
According to the linguistic society’s website, their word of the year can be any “vocabulary item”, word or phrase, that has been particularly prominent or notable over the previous 12 months.
The 2019 winner beat ‘ok boomer’ – described as a “retort to someone older expressing out-of-touch or condescending views” – to the title, as well as ‘cancel’ and ‘Karen’, a “stereotype of a complaining, self-important white woman”.
Other words or phrases considered for word of the decade included meme, climate, #BlackLivesMatter and woke.
‘They’ had previously been named word of the year in 2015.
The vote was carried out by a collection of linguists, etymologists, historians, writers and students at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside on Friday in a tradition dating back to 1991.
Amid the Donald Trump impeachment and Ukraine controversy, ‘quid pro quo’ was named political word of the year.
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And here we have another scaremongering climate zealot trying to spread unnecessary panic,
Thankfully the average working person pays no attention to such people.
@Edward O’T.: The average working person is probably too busy dealing with their own personal problems to realise that this will affect them aswell but I wouldn’t take it upon myself to speak for us all. As for your first sentence, I think you may need to do a little research on what is actually happening to our little sphere and its atmosphere before going on about scaremongering and zealotry.
@Diarmuid Hunt: it’s climate cult ideology at it finest or maybe at it’s worst,
@Diarmuid Hunt: anything Edward and his ilk are unwilling to face the reality of because they can’t handle adversity = ‘Scaremongering’.
@Setanta O’Toole: I have handled more adversity in a long life since the fifties than you I am fairly sure, my list is long.
And over that time this climate you are whining about has changed little to over that time.
Here’s an opinion, open the comments sections again. Closed on every second article, even the recent one about Twitter “not engaging” with garda. Too right because today it’s riots in dublin, tomorrow its your rights been eroded and not allowing any opposition views to be heard just because the state tell them.
@Daniel Murray: Those making nasty comments can be blamed for the loss of comments
In essence, we are the carbon they want to reduce…
The Journal is an absolute joke. Struggling to put into words how pathetic the editors are. I genuinely feel pity to those who think they’re being journalists, you’re all being fooled. The rag reeks of propaganda, bias and flat out lies by word and ommision.
We see you for what you are. A vile machination of the corruption that is poisoning Ireland from the top down. Delete my comment all you like, the truth of my words will remain. Disgraceful carry on, how do you sleep at night with the shame of it?
@Ross O’: and instead of uninstalling the app you make multiple profiles and act like some sort of victim
@Martin Mongan: I’d normally ask you to provide a shred of evidence to support your claim, but I’ll save you the bother by saying everything about what you said is wrong.
@Peter Murray: Imagine missing the mark so much you think that’s what I’m really angry about.
@Ross O’: spot on Ross…and god forbid actually opening comments on something people actually want to talk about such as blatant genocide in 2024 for fear of shattering the image portrayed to the public though the editors prism. They are very exposed on this and we can see them clearly now for what they are.
Being able to buy credits is a bit of a joke as these countries emitting the most just pay it and do nothing. We can do everything humanly possible on our little island and it wont make much impact we’ll still endure the consequences of what’s coming
@Lydia Mcloughlin: only benefits the rich people – same people who are advocating for a social credit system that would make Winnie the Pooh blush.
Conmen
Organise
Pissup
Number 28
“80% of Irish people are in favour of cutting our climate-changing pollution by at least 51% by 2030: with 50% of people actually saying we should do more than that.”… So what’s the plan?… oh, nothing. Bravo
@Thesaltyurchin: Who did they ask lmao put up a ballot box at Davos?
@Thesaltyurchin: what % said they like to pay for the reduction?
@P. V. Aglue: Its a quote from the article where I’m highlighting the lack of ideas for the progress of our threadbare infrastructures. It’s my bad for assuming that people read the article tho, lol. (but yea, Irish people will chant ‘lock them up’ but then flee when the bill arrives).
population increase means more emmissions.
@Damian Moylan: sssh. ..Don’t mention the elephant in the room.
It’s all over…
@Gerry Dornan: the solution is in the article………. more money
@Ken Mc Carthy: It kind of is … According to Bill Gates on YouTube.
Search for Listen carefully
Be nice
Utter bull . It was 2 degrees warmer in Roman times. It’s thought the cooling led to reduced crop yields and more arid conditions. AD 1000 and grapes were grown in the UK. Vikings in Greenland and Newfoundland. Only left when it got colder.
Watch towers , and covert activities by AGS on O’Connell street would be a move in the right direction . They could even put members on patrol on the streets and in the housing estates!
have your say