Singular They

As historians are aware, everything changes over time, including language. Even basic building blocks like pronouns can change with usage. In this month’s issue, we highlight the ways that the singular “they” has entered the conversation. Whether identifying pronouns in a Twitter bio or using they/them to refer to historical actors whose gender identity is ambiguous or changes over their lifetime, Laura Ansley reports on how historians are wrestling with how gender enters the English language at its most basic level.

Photo: Karen Lou

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Staff

Laura Ansley, managing editor
Elyse Martin, associate editor, web content and social media
Karen Lou, editorial assistant
Liz Townsend, manager, data administration and integrity

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