Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!ucsd!ucbvax!pasteur!agate!marie@ernie.Berkeley.EDU
From: marie@ernie.Berkeley.EDU (Marie desJardins)
Newsgroups: comp.society.women
Subject: Re: Language in a Requirements Specification
Message-ID: <12878@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: 1 Aug 88 22:41:41 GMT
References: <12781@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
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In article <12781@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> bunker!rha@purdue.edu (Robert H. Averack) writes:
>[...] during
>the course of making references to Users, I have been using the pronouns
>"him" and "his" as generics.
>
>     My simple question is:  is this acceptable?  Will the appearance of
>male pronouns as generic pronouns cause any undue discomfort for a reader?

I am much more comfortable reading manuals that are obviously
meant for both men and women.  The use of male pronouns (while
grammatically "correct") tends to create the image of a male
user; this makes it more difficult for women to visualize
using the system themselves.  I am always appreciative of any
attempt to make pronoun usage more inclusive.

I suggest adopting any of the following strategies:
	1.  Use "he" and "she" alternately (switching with
	    each example, i.e. referring to a given
	    hypothetical user with consistent pronouns, but
	    switching with each new user)
	2.  Use "she" everywhere
	3.  Use he/she
	4.  Use an invented pronoun, with a note at the
	    beginning that you are following this usage
	    (e.g. "mun" instead of "he", "him", "she" or "her";
	    "muns" instead of "his" or "hers")
I find the first the best solution, as it creates an image
of actual people (some of whom happen to be male, some of
whom happen to be female) using the system.  The second is
sort of a "turnabout is fair play" solution; at least it
shows an awareness that there *is* a gender-reference problem;
at best it will make readers think.

He/she is cumbersome, but if you are particularly uncomfortable 
using either of the first solutions, I find it preferable to "he" 
everywhere.

4. would be best, especially if there were an accepted neutral
pronoun.  You could always be a trend-setter!

Marie desJardins