Singular they in legal English/Geschlechtsneutralität in der englischen Rechtssprache
am 24.04.2008 von http://transblawg.eu
Mark Liberman at Language Log links to a good summary by the Canadian Department of Justice on the use of they as a singular in legal usage.
The use of the singular they is becoming more common not only in spoken but in written English and can prove to be useful to drafters in a legislative context to eliminate gender-specific language and heavy or awkward repetition of nouns.
Recommendations
1. Consider using the third-person pronouns they, their, them, themselves or theirs to refer to a singular indefinite noun, to avoid the unnatural language that results from repeating the noun.
2. Do not use they to refer to a definite singular noun.
3. Ensure that the pronouns antecedent is clear.
There is a set of excellent examples showing how they can work well in quite specific cases, and other cases where it doesnt.
Its not just a question of avoiding gender-specific language - sometimes an indefinite noun includes he, she …
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» Language Log » Canadian Department of Justice: use “singular they”
» Singular "They"
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