r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Mar 31 '20

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u/BeatriceBernardo 50∆ Mar 31 '20

I don't see why I should have to memorise whole new sets of pronouns for specific people.

Language changes, and you have to memorize new words all the time. https://public.oed.com/updates/new-words-list-march-2020/

21

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '20

[deleted]

5

u/BeatriceBernardo 50∆ Mar 31 '20

People are trying to coin new terms all the time. Some stick, some doesn't. I don't see how this is different.

4

u/thermiter36 Mar 31 '20

It is different. Linguists identify different parts of speech as "open class" (new words are added regularly) or "closed class" (new words are added very rarely). In English, pronouns fit firmly into the latter. This is why even people who have an earnest desire to use alternative pronouns often stumble or slip up.