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From: sra@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP (Scott Anderson)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: Re: "Their" as a substitute for his/her
Message-ID: <558@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 04:21:50 EST
Article-I.D.: oddjob.558
Posted: Mon Jan 14 04:21:50 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Jan-85 01:31:10 EST
References: <717@ihuxa.UUCP>
Organization: U. Chicago: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lines: 19

>   While the point that "they" is a genderless substitute for "she"
>   or "he" is well taken, it appears (to me at least) to open the
>   door to greater ambiguity.  It is not apparent to me, based upon
>   the limited context of the statement, to whom "they" refers.
>        "Our guest speakers will arrive shortly.  Everyone should 
>        sit down when they arrive."
>                - and -
>        "Standing in this room is forbidden.  Everyone should sit 
>        down when they arrive."

If the second sentence is taken out of context, there may indeed be
ambiguity, but I think that in the above two examples, it is apparent
to everyone to whom the "they" refers.  Contextual distinction of this
sort is used extensively in some languages, e.g. Spanish, where pronouns
are seldom used except when really necessary to avoid ambiguity, or to
provide emphasis.

                                Scott R. Anderson
                                ihnp4!oddjob