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Subject:RE: His/Her v. Their From:Ben Davies <bdavies -at- imris -dot- com> To:Becca <becca -at- di -dot- org>, tech2wr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:07:00 +0000
I don't think it is acceptable to say "his" or "her". Using either of those shows gender discrimination, unless it is an absolute that everyone reading your document will be of a specific gender.
If the text is third person, I suggest trying to completely remove the possessiveness from the text.
For example
(third person with possessiveness)
To begin, cross-stitchers create a list of all the items they need from the pattern instructions. Next, they will search through the little floss bins that correspond to the required colors at the nearest craft store, such as Michael's.
(third person with no possessiveness)
To begin, cross-stitchers create a list of all the items needed, from the pattern instructions. Next, the stitchers will search through the little floss bins that correspond to the required colors at the nearest craft store, such as Michael's.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+bdavies=imris -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bdavies=imris -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Becca
Sent: October-26-12 9:09 AM
To: tech2wr-l
Subject: His/Her v. Their
Some documents I'm editing of necessity give procedures in third person rather than the assumed (you) second person. There's no way around this.
In the document I'm editing, they use His/Her. My inclination is to use "their" - comments?
Regards,
Becca
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