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From: flackc@stolaf.UUCP (Chap Flack)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Grammar and Spelling on the Net and Elsewhere
Message-ID: <5122@stolaf.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 20:48:04 EST
Article-I.D.: stolaf.5122
Posted: Mon Feb 24 20:48:04 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Feb-86 22:21:08 EST
References: <235@pttesac.UUCP> <33100034@ISM780.UUCP> <658@frog.UUCP> <11949@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Lines: 23

> >>any validity their statements might otherwise have. I suppose one of the
>                ^^^^^ ?!?
> >>one another. If a person can't take the time to learn their own language,
>                                                         ^^^^^
> I am reminded of a parable which mentions stones and glass houses.

I am reminded of the words in the netiquette guide concerning
spelling flames.  But (no flame anymore, this is a serious question) is
there any consensus on the use of "their" as a genderless third-person
singular?  I have to admit that I also find it painful, but I often can't
think of anything better (that doesn't involve making my sentence
incredibly complex and stilted-sounding).  I find "his/her" even more
painful.  I notice that this use of "their" is *recommended* by the
`sexist' tool in the Writers' Workbench.  Hmm.

While I'm at it, is there anyone out there who has a decent genderless
salutation for a formal business letter?  I really can't bring myself
to write "Dear Sir or Madam:" (bletch!).
-- 
---------------------
Chap Flack				ihnp4!stolaf!agnes!flackc
Carleton College			ihnp4!stolaf!flackc
Northfield, MN  55057