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The Singular Use of "They/Them" in Written Text: A Data-Driven Perspective
By: Morgan Hopkins
When it comes to best writing practices, how does one write or speak about a singular generic subject? There has been a significant shift towards more inclusive and gender-neutral language in academic and professional writing in recent years. This change includes using the singular "they/them" as an alternative to the generic masculine pronoun. Beyond fostering inclusivity and diversity, research has shown that adopting this approach can positively impact engagement and motivation among readers. This informational piece explores the benefits of the singular use of "they/them" in written text, supported by peer-reviewed articles and data.
Using gender-neutral language in written text is essential to creating inclusive and diverse communication, but this is a relatively new shift. Historically, the generic masculine, “He” or “Man,” was utilized as a placeholder and signifier of all people, regardless of gender, and was considered the standard across writing practices and throughout disciplines. However, the traditional use of the generic masculine pronoun "he" has long been criticized for perpetuating gender bias and exclusion. Beginning in the late 1990s, global attitudes toward gendered language began to shift, emphasizing the necessity of including women and feminine pronouns in text, and even more recent years, data indicates that increasingly across populations, there is a growing need for and acceptance of a singular generic, or gender-neutral, pronoun, for example, “they/them.”
However, finding a suitable alternative to the singular generic masculine posed some obstacles. Early pilot studies in the United States during the late 90s and early 2000s examined preferential data towards other options to the generic masculine with the English language, such as “he/she,” “she/he,” “he or she,” or alternating pronouns throughout a body of writing. Researchers found that while participants intensely disliked the generic masculine, there was no commonly preferred alternative (Madson & Hessling, 1999). At this time, researchers also examined participants’ attitudes toward the singular form of “they/them.” However, they found that while participants preferred it to a gendered and binary term like “his” or “her,” many found it to be numerically inaccurate and thus confusing when used in a singular form, as traditionally, “they/them” has represented a plural third person pronoun (Madson & Shoda, 2001; Madson & Shoda, 2006). However, like most things, language is in continuous evolution. Over the last two decades, attitudes toward the singular use of “they/them” have shifted from lukewarm to positive.
Similarly, in naturally gendered languages such as Spanish, French, and Swedish, this evolutionary trend was especially prominent in that most words have a gendered connotation naturally, and over time, a growing need for gender-neutral adjectives, pronouns, and placeholders for words and people arose. Globally, many studies have found that attitudes toward gendered language have consistently shifted over time. Modern attitudes toward gendered language are poor regardless of locality, age, gender, or political affiliations. For example, in 2012, after a series of reports were published demonstrating that there was a growing necessity for a gender-neutral pronoun across demographics and steadily over time, Sweden prompted the creation and inclusion of an entirely new generic pronoun, hen (Senden, 2015; Senden, 2021). This marked the first language to add a third gender-neutral pronoun parallel to two gendered pronouns, hon and han.
So why is this so important?
Written language is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways information is disseminated and digested. As such, a substantial emphasis is placed on word choice and usage. One of the core concentrations in psycholinguistics, which is the study of the relationship between linguistic behaviors and psychological processes, focuses on the complexities of sentence structure and one’s ability to derive meaning from text and asserts that engagement, comprehension, and perceptions about text quality directly correlate with word choice and sentence structure. Additionally, educational researchers specializing in knowledge acquisition processes identify engagement as a critical variable in information encoding. In other words, language and sentence structure influence engagement, and engagement influences learning and motivation.
In a 2020 Qualtrics metanalysis, researchers identified belongingness as being one of the most impactful factors influencing levels of engagement across disciplines and environments. The data from this metanalysis suggests that regardless of whether it is related to workplace satisfaction, learning in a classroom, or reading a daily news column, increased levels of belongingness were positively correlated with engagement and motivation. In other words, the more one can identify themselves within the subject material, the more they are engaged and motivated.
Several studies that reinforce this have found a positive correlation between using gender-neutral language and increased reader engagement. This is particularly significant in educational materials, where engagement is crucial for effective learning. According to a study conducted in 2014, students exposed to texts with gender-neutral language were more engaged and attentive during lessons (Lewandowski). The singular use of "they/them" encourages students to see themselves in the text, thus increasing belongingness and making the material more relatable and engaging. Additionally, an article published by the Society for Human Resource Management explored the impact of inclusive language in the workplace. It found that employees in organizations that promoted gender-neutral language, such as the singular use of “they/them,” reported higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction (Mittman & Singer, 2021). Using "they/them" in communication was a significant part of this inclusive language strategy.
Furthermore, as motivation plays a vital role in how readers interact with written content, employing gender-neutral language, including the singular "they/them," can foster a sense of belonging and motivation. A 2020 study demonstrated that employees who read workplace documents using gender-neutral language reported higher motivation and job satisfaction levels (Huffman et al.) Conversely, it also revealed that when gendered language was used, it often led to gender stereotyping, which negatively influenced motivation. Inclusivity in language acknowledges the diversity of the audience and can lead to a more motivated and committed readership.
This acknowledgment of a diverse audience not only reduces the salience and prominence of gender stereotyping but has also been shown to increase performance. The generic masculine pronoun "he" or binary gendered language like “he or she” can inadvertently reinforce stereotypes about gender roles. When writers consistently use binary gendered terms, it can perpetuate the idea that certain activities or qualities are primarily associated with one gender (Lindqvist et al., 2019). In contrast, using the singular "they/them" reduces these stereotypes and encourages a more open and accepting perspective. A study in the "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin" found that readers exposed to gender-neutral language were less likely to make stereotypical assumptions about the subjects discussed in the text (Stout & Dasgupta, 2011).
Language is constantly evolving, and many individuals and organizations are adopting the singular use of "they/them" in their written communication. The style guides of several prominent institutions, including the Associated Press and the American Psychological Association, have embraced this shift and have adopted “they/them” as a singular generic pronoun. As such, writers, educators, and employers are encouraged to adapt their language to reflect these evolving norms.
The Takeaway:
The singular use of "they/them" in written text as an alternative to the generic masculine is a powerful tool for promoting inclusivity. It has a measurable impact on engagement and motivation. Supported by peer-reviewed articles and data, adopting gender-neutral language can create a more welcoming and relatable experience for readers, regardless of gender identity. As language continues to evolve, embracing these changes is not only a matter of social progress but also an effective means of enhancing the effectiveness of written communication, regardless of the context or environment.
Sources
Gustafsson Sendén, M., Bäck, E. A., & Lindqvist, A. (2015). Introducing a gender-neutral pronoun in a natural gender language: The influence of time on attitudes and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 6 (893), 1-12. https://doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00893
Gustafsson Sendén, M., Renström, E., & Lindqvist, A. (2021). Pronouns beyond the binary: The change of attitudes and use over time. Gender and Society, 35(4), 588–615. https://doi.org/10.1177/08912432211029226
Huffman AH, Mills MJ, Howes SS, Albritton MD. Workplace support and affirming behaviors: Moving toward a transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary friendly workplace. Transgender Health. 2020 Dec 21;22(3):225-242. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2020.1861575. PMID: 34240067; PMCID: PMC8118231.
Lewandowski, M. (2014). Learner perceptions of gender representation in EFL grammar books. Lingua Posnaniensis, 56(2), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.2478/linpo-2014-0014
Lindqvist, A., Renström, E.A. & Gustafsson Sendén, M. Reducing a Male Bias in Language? Establishing the Efficiency of Three Different Gender-Fair Language Strategies. Sex Roles 81, 109–117 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-0974-9
Madson, L., & Hessling, R. H. (1999). Does alternating between masculine and feminine pronouns eliminate perceived gender bias in text? Sex Roles, 41(7), 559-575.
Madson, L., & Hessling, R. M. (2001). Readers' perceptions of four alternatives to masculine generic pronouns. The Journal of Social Psychology, 141(1), 156-158.
Madson, L., & Shoda, J. (2006). Alternating between masculine and feminine pronouns: Does essay topic affect readers’ perceptions? Sex Roles, 54, 275-285.
Noll, J., Lowry, M. & Bryant, J. Changes Over Time in the Comprehension of He and They as Epicene Pronouns. J Psycholinguist Res47, 1057–1068 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-018-9577-4
Stout, J. G., & Dasgupta, N. (2011). When he doesn't mean you: Gender-exclusive language as ostracism. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37(6), 757-769. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211406434
