Beyond binary: a gender and linguistic analysis of the reconstruction of pronoun 'they'

Noviana, Ananda Putri and Indah, Rohmani Nur ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6176-048X (2023) Beyond binary: a gender and linguistic analysis of the reconstruction of pronoun 'they'. Presented at 5th Annual International Conferences on Language, Literature, and Media (AICOLLIM), 6-7 Sep 2023, Malang.

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Abstract

Gender discrimination occurs when individuals are consistently referred to using gender-specific pronouns, such as 'he' or 'she,’ irrespective of their expressed gender identity or preference. This study examines the correlation between gender and sociolinguistic theory in constructing the pronoun 'non-binary singular they' in English. Additionally, it analyzed the factors that impact individuals' responses to its usage to propose a more appropriate approach to addressing and using ‘non-binary singular they’ to mitigate discrimination. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach and utilized gender equity and sociolinguistic theories for the analysis. This study conducted comprehensive library research with a conceptual framework of a literature review using secondary data. The study results showed that the concept of gender and sociocultural factors play a central role in the reconstruction of the use of the pronoun 'non-binary singular they.’ In addition, understanding the English language and social attitudes towards non-binary individuals can influence their level of acceptance of the use of the pronoun 'non-binary singular they.' This finding also indicates that the higher the level of understanding of the English language and the concept of gender, and the more frequently involved with non-binary individuals, the higher the support for the use of 'non-binary singular they.’ Therefore, efforts to increase an in-depth understanding of English and the concept of gender are essential to realizing gender equality through gender-inclusive pronouns: ‘they.’

Item Type:	Conference (Paper)
Keywords:	singular they; non-binary; gender and language
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies > 200302 English Language 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200403 Discourse and Pragmatics 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200403 Discourse and Pragmatics > 20040399 Discourse and Pragmatics not elsewhere classified 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2003 Language Studies 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of English Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Dr. Rohmani Nur Indah
Date Deposited:	03 Jan 2024 10:31

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