December 17, 2014
Ursula K. Le Guin writes some very interesting words; going beyond the usual linguistic issues by discussing the problems with using the male gender as the gender which includes women too. If the word “he” stands for humanity in general, then, says Le Guin:
“That’s who I am. I am the generic he, as in, “If anybody needs an abortion he will have to go to another state,” or “A writer knows which side his bread is buttered on.” That’s me, the writer, him. I am a man. Not maybe a first-rate man. I’m perfectly willing to admit that I may be in fact a kind of second-rate or imitation man, a Pretend-a-Him. ”
Read her words in this article (really a book review) by Maria Popova.
