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Some people feel that English is a sexist language because it has no gender-neutral pronoun. For example: "Each student should bring his book to class." Some argue that the use of "his" is sexist. So some believe that you should say "Each student should bring his or her book to class." I personally think that's ridiculous, but I was wondering if there are any such issues in Russian.
Например:
Правильно сказать "Кто-то сделал что-то" или "Кто-то сделали что-то"?
и т.д.
Well, based on my crummy Russian expertise, Russian is just as "sexist" if you want to argue that garbage. You will always use кто-то + masc. verb -- with the -и it's plural and that doesn't work AFAIK. Now, on the other hand, if you're a big fan of animals THEY also take кто and not что -- the family pet, just like a gorilla at the zoo will take кто in a situation where you need an interogative pronoun for them (Мое любимое животное -- тот олен, кто был в фильме Бамби).
Мое любимое животное -- тот олень, что/который был в фильме Бэмби. You can't say "кто" here. But you also can't say "кто" in the same case about some man: "Мой любимый актёр XXX -- тот, что/который (but not "кто") играл в фильме YYY".Quote:
Originally Posted by Бармалей
It = English gender neutral pronoun.
Use 'it' anytime you wish, instead of 'he' or 'she'. You may receive stares, and you'll probably offend someone calling her/him an 'it'... but 'it' is 'gender neutral'! So, it is 'politically correct.'!
Have fun! :wink:
(Why do we worry about such things??) :wink:
P.S. 's/he' is often used in legal documents as an acceptable gender-neutral pronoun.
Correct is only: "Кто-то сделал что-то". "Кто-то сделали что-то" - we don't say so. The possible variant is: "Какие-то люди что-то сделали".Quote:
Originally Posted by brucewayne
It's not the same in Russian:Quote:
Originally Posted by brucewayne
Каждый студент должен принести свою книгу в класс
Can I sue someone if he called me 'it'? I find this offensive. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
Besides, this way you may be impying that I am a ... transvestite.
It is the same in proper English. "One should brings ones books to class."
People just are lazy or informal these days.
My missus is reading a book about bringing up a baby at the moment. The author has chosen to remain politically correct by alternating "he" and "she" whenever he (or she) mentions the reader's baby.
"At this time your baby will start making more noises. He might spend hours making a single sound, or she might make a range of different sounds. Encourage him, she'll like that."
Madness. And irritating to read too.
Я подумал, что надо писать "she/he". Или еще хуже - "he or she".Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
No, no... for business and legal documents you can use 's/he'... simpler, and more efficient.Quote:
Originally Posted by basurero
Can I be your lawyer? :thanks:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramil
Welcome to U.S. politics. :roll: :wink:
Лол, ок. But it looks ugly! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobry
And you thought America is pretty? :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by basurero
It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
Perfectly PC.
Ahahaha. You are one sick man, Buffalo Bill...Quote:
Originally Posted by adoc
And how do Russians deal with phrases like "he or she"? I know they don't just say "он или она", do they just use он as a default gender-neutral pronoun, referring to both men and women?
Non necessarily, we may just use оно :)Quote:
Originally Posted by brucewayne
I have found the perfect word to use for all occasions. It is politically correct and covers all three words, "she", "he" and "it" at the same time. Here it is;
Sh1t
S = she
H = he
IT = it
You can just say this word when talking about your boyfriend or girlfriend or even a baby. ie "Sh1t is crying! It's time to feed the little sh1t!"
:thumbs:Quote:
Originally Posted by DDT
That's the only destination where political correctness could lead us./ Вот до чего доводит политкорректность. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DDT
:lol: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by DDT
It gives impression that author talks about two different babies. While boy is rather slow (He might spend hours making a single sound), the girl is able to make "different sounds", but she' sweety and likes, when youQuote:
Originally Posted by scotcher
encourage the boy.
Hmm... Either the author is crasy or that book is for twins parents. :D
Unfortunately, that above in red doesn't work :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DDT
as a direct object it is either: "her/him/it" and not sh1t :wink:
OK, update. Mrs Scotcher wanted me to explain something she'd read in a baby magazine last night, and I noticed the author of the article doing the same thing I described earlier. He (I'm not being sexist, the author was indeed a man) didn't actually alternate "he" and "she" at every occurrence, but in every paragraph.
So I checked the rest of the magazine, and then I checked all the other magazines she's managed to accrue since our laddie was born, and lo and behold, they are all written like that. Every single one of them.
Congrats, Scotcher, on your young laddie. I didn't know. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by scotcher
Anyway... it's all "political correctness"... and it makes English more difficult for everyone. :|
Thanks!
How f..... crazy! :(