English Has Gendered, Third-Person Singular Pronouns (He/him/his and She/her/hers) and an Inanimate

question 20

Essay

English has gendered, third-person singular pronouns (he/him/his and she/her/hers) and an inanimate third-person singular pronoun (it/its), but no gender-neutral, third-person singular pronoun. Such a pronoun would have many uses. It might be used by people who identify as gender-nonconforming or by people who do not know another person's gender, such as parents talking about an unborn child. Analyze the effects of this lack in terms of muted group theory.

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Definitions:

Reduced Efficiency

A decline in the effectiveness or productivity of a process, system, or mechanism, often resulting in lower output or increased waste.

Bystander Effects

Phenomena in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.

Diffusion Of Responsibility

A psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to take action or feel a sense of responsibility in the presence of a large group of people.

First Aid

The initial assistance or treatment given to someone suffering from a minor or serious illness or injury, before professional medical help can be provided.