From Powells.com
Hot new releases and under-the-radar gems for adults and kids.
Staff Pick
The contemporary desire for better pronouns — ones that are nongendered and/or nonbinary — is nothing new. In his thoroughly researched book, Dennis Baron documents how many years this gap in the language has been felt (hundreds, at least) and how many new pronouns have been suggested (also hundreds, at least). Recommended By Keith M., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Like trigger warnings and gender-neutral bathrooms, pronouns are sparking a national debate, prompting new policies in schools, workplaces, even prisons, about what pronouns to use. Colleges ask students to declare their pronouns along with their majors; corporate conferences print name tags with space to add pronouns; email signatures sport pronouns along with names and titles. Far more than a by-product of the culture wars, gender-neutral pronouns are, however, nothing new.
Pioneering linguist Dennis Baron puts them in historical context, noting that Shakespeare used singular-they; women invoked the generic use of he to assert the right to vote (while those opposed to women's rights invoked the same word to assert that he did not include she); and people have been coining new gender pronouns, not just hir and zie, for centuries. Based on Baron's own empirical research, What's Your Pronoun? chronicles the story of the role pronouns have played — and continue to play — in establishing both our rights and our identities. It is an essential work in understanding how twenty-first-century culture has evolved.
Review
“[Baron's] ‘annotated historical lexicon’ of more than 250 gender-neutral pronouns [is] a gold mine for readers who delight in the strangeness of language, as well as a clear demonstration of the thorniness of the issue. This easygoing, comprehensive guide will appeal to progressive word geeks.”
Publishers Weekly
Review
“The author's playful tone imbues the text with friendly sensitivity, and readers will appreciate his decades of research and meticulous attention to documents and sources. The result is a book that reflects the transformational capacity of language. A lively book for language lovers, those confused about uses of they/them, and anyone curious about writing while gendered.”
Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Based on decades of research, Baron’s masterly work documents the historical and continued importance of personal pronouns. Those interested in gender politics or English grammar, or who feel that 'he' and 'she' are inadequate, would benefit greatly from perusing this book.” Library Journal (Starred Review)
About the Author
Dennis Baron professor emeritus of English and linguistics at the University of Illinois, has long been a national commentator on language issues, from the Washington Post to NPR and CNN. A recent Guggenheim Fellow, he lives in Champaign, Illinois.