You know how we use words like 'I,' 'you,' 'he,' 'she,' and 'it' all the time? They're called pronouns, and they're basically little stand-ins for nouns. Think about it: instead of saying "Sarah went to the store, and Sarah bought some milk," we naturally say, "Sarah went to the store, and she bought some milk." It just flows better, right? Pronouns help us avoid sounding like a broken record.
Now, for a long time, we've mostly thought about pronouns in terms of 'he' for men and 'she' for women. But language, like people, is always evolving. And that's where 'they' and 'them' come in, not just as plural pronouns anymore, but as singular ones too.
So, what exactly are they/them pronouns? Simply put, they are pronouns that a person uses to refer to themselves. When someone says, "My pronouns are they/them," it means they prefer to be referred to using 'they' and 'them' instead of 'he/him' or 'she/her.' For example, you'd say, "Alex is coming to the party, and they are bringing a dish." Or, "I spoke to the new colleague, and I think they'll be a great addition to the team."
Why do people use they/them pronouns? For many, it's about aligning their pronouns with their gender identity. Some people don't identify strictly as male or female; they might be nonbinary, genderfluid, or have another gender identity that doesn't fit neatly into the traditional binary. Using they/them pronouns allows them to express their authentic selves.
It's also worth remembering that 'they' has a long history of being used as a singular pronoun, even before we widely discussed gender identity. Think about a situation where you don't know someone's gender: "Someone left their umbrella. I hope they come back for it." We've been using 'they' this way for ages, so the concept isn't entirely new to English.
Using someone's correct pronouns is a fundamental way to show respect. It's like using someone's name correctly – it acknowledges who they are. If you're unsure about someone's pronouns, it's perfectly okay to politely ask. A simple "What are your pronouns?" can go a long way. And if you make a mistake? Just correct yourself and move on. Most people appreciate the effort.
Ultimately, understanding and using they/them pronouns is about expanding our language to be more inclusive and accurate. It's about recognizing that gender is diverse and that our language should reflect that diversity, making everyone feel seen and respected.