tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627487350270984936.post7643004702479992527..comments2023-12-14T18:11:34.714-05:00Comments on ^ tapu ~ tapu: an argument for generic singular "they"~tapu~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12361453352476369399noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627487350270984936.post-79584314322458499472012-11-13T08:33:55.908-05:002012-11-13T08:33:55.908-05:00Hmm.... I can see the argument for a new word, in ...Hmm.... I can see the argument for a new word, in the abstract; but practically speaking, words invented to replace other words have a hard time entering general usage. And in this case, "ther" would be salient only in writing, as the same pronunciation is a common phonetic realization for "their" in connected speech. (Which you note.)<br /><br />You know, though..... A new word for the generic singular *might* emerge naturally, or the whole thing could go the intentional route, as a matter of what's now called political correctness, as did ethnic designations such as "African-American" for "black." Those terms DID take hold.<br /><br />Thanks, Lydia!~tapu~https://www.blogger.com/profile/12361453352476369399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-627487350270984936.post-46252142643107362542012-11-13T01:39:03.536-05:002012-11-13T01:39:03.536-05:00I think we could make a new word. In this example,...I think we could make a new word. In this example, A doctor is to remain on call for their scheduled shift, most people would pronounce it as 'ther' instead of their.Lydia Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11055408738717640810noreply@blogger.com