linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] Remove unnecessarily gendered language

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Message-ID: <1386616168.20263.1.camel@x230>
Date:	Mon, 9 Dec 2013 19:09:28 +0000
From:	Matthew Garrett <matthew.garrett@...ula.com>
To:	"pavel@....cz" <pavel@....cz>
CC:	"linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org" <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: Re: [PATCH] Remove unnecessarily gendered language

On Sun, 2013-12-08 at 13:38 +0100, Pavel Machek wrote:
> On Thu 2013-12-05 16:35:15, Matthew Garrett wrote:
> > Using "he" to refer to objects without gender is (with some exceptions)
> > incorrect in English, so that set should be uncontroversial. "He" is
> > usually considered acceptable when referring to an individual of unknown
> > gender, but so is "they". The latter version has the advantage of not
> > giving the impression that we believe all our users are male.
> 
> As you said, "he" is acceptable when referring to an individual of
> unknown gender. Disadvantage of "they" is that it makes the text
> confusing if not done carefuly. And random sample of 3 changes made it
> clear you were not careful...

Acceptable but increasingly socially frowned upon. Of the set you
commented on, one was unclear as a result of the transition. I've
examined the rest and am fairly happy with their clarity, but, well,
that's the point of review.

-- 
Matthew Garrett <matthew.garrett@...ula.com>