Re: Sie/hir

[Laurie Rubin <lmr -at- SYL -dot- NJ -dot- NEC -dot- COM>]

Does anyone remember the "universal language" idea that was being tossed around
as becoming the "international language"?  I think there was talk about it in
the 1970s. The language even had a somewhat complicated name that has alluded
me.  Well, I don't think that language got off the preliminary think tank
phase!

I can't see how something like "sie/hir" could, either!  If we assume these
names are used only for English text, I agree with Anatole that they don't
change the bipolar use of his/her, he/she sexist thing.  That is why I always
try to use "the user" (for any user: male, female, monkey, alien, etc.) or
"you" in my docs.
Laurie

> I have to say I don't understand "sie/hir."  How is it supposed to be used,
> and if the terms are supposed to mask gender, why are there two terms instead
> of just one? Seems to me you could easily suppose that "sie" means "his" and
> "hir" means "her."


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> Anatole Wilson                       "We are all interested in the
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