#APStyle prefers replacing a nonbinary person's pronoun with their name, and to mention in the story that they use gender-neutral pronouns.
#APA embraces the singular they: "because it is inclusive of all people and helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender. Although usage of the singular 'they' was once discouraged in academic writing, many advocacy groups and publishers have accepted and endorsed it, including Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary."
#ChicagoManualOfStyle recommended the singular they in its 14th edition but then got cold feet and rescinded the recommendation in the 15th and 16th editions, but lol, the 17th edition is okay with it, but in 'formal writing' they recommend avoiding it through the following strategies:
– omit pronoun
– repeat the noun, as AP recommends (though they do say, "Take care not to overuse this technique." LOL)
– use plurals or the imperative mood, as AU Govt Style recommends
– use an article instead of a pronoun (e.g. 'the application' instead of 'their application')
– use the pronoun 'one'. But weirdly their example doesn't use it the way I would, e.g. "One must always be careful." #CMOS is like, "An actor in New York earns more than one in Paducah."
CMOS also notes that the singular they is more accepted in UK usage than US usage.
#language #they #SingularThey #InclusiveLanguage #Writing #Editing