Questions about pronouns

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sparklingstar
not a newbie
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:19 am
Age: 20
Awesomeness Quotient: The fact that I won't give up something I love
Primary language: English
Pronouns: she/they
Location: somewhere peaceful and quiet

Questions about pronouns

Unread post by sparklingstar »

So my younger brother asked me why do some people put different kinds of pronouns on their social media bio today.

Since our native language doesn't really have a pronouns system like English, it's kinda tough for me to explain to him why does English have she/they, he/they, they/them and other kinds of pronouns.

Him asking me today made me realized that I don't really know how to tell him about the differences between those pronouns since he barely knows about topics like non-binary, transgender or other kinds of gender identities.

He also didn't know that I use she/they online, and if he asked why I use that all of a sudden, I don't think I can give him a clear answer since I'm not even sure if I'm non-binary or not.

I hope this post makes sense!
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Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 10320
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:06 am
Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Questions about pronouns

Unread post by Sam W »

Hi hiImcrocheting,

How old is your brother? Because, depending on his age, I think there are a few different ways (or resources) that could help him understand pronouns.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
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sparklingstar
not a newbie
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:19 am
Age: 20
Awesomeness Quotient: The fact that I won't give up something I love
Primary language: English
Pronouns: she/they
Location: somewhere peaceful and quiet

Re: Questions about pronouns

Unread post by sparklingstar »

Hi Sam

My brother is 15 years old! And due to our education and culture, we don't really have a chance in school to learn about these things, I only get to know about these because I spend quite some time online.
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Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 10320
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:06 am
Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Questions about pronouns

Unread post by Sam W »

Got it. So, I might stick to a simpler explanation to start and then see what his questions are. You could explain that other languages have pronouns that, among other things, indicate the gender of a person. In other words, the pronouns help us know whether someone is man, woman, non-binary person, etc. That may end up being enough for him, but if it isn't we could also give you some articles from here that might help him dig deeper into the idea of gender.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
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sparklingstar
not a newbie
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:19 am
Age: 20
Awesomeness Quotient: The fact that I won't give up something I love
Primary language: English
Pronouns: she/they
Location: somewhere peaceful and quiet

Re: Questions about pronouns

Unread post by sparklingstar »

Hi Sam

Ok! Thanks so much for the tip!
If it's ok, can I ask for the links to the articles that you mentioned? Since personally I want to learn more about the idea of gender too!
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Siân
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 785
Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2017 6:10 am
Age: 34
Awesomeness Quotient: I ask ALLLLL the questions
Primary language: English
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: Figuring it out
Location: UK

Re: Questions about pronouns

Unread post by Siân »

Of course!

Here are two good starting points:
Genderpalooza! A Sex & Gender Primer
Trans Summer School: What's the Deal With Gender?

What do you think?
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