Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT Strips 3636 to 3640 (18th to 22nd December 2017)
Wombat:
--- Quote from: OldGoat on 23 Dec 2017, 10:23 ---
--- Quote from: MrNumbers on 23 Dec 2017, 07:04 ---You mean Toffee?
--- End quote ---
"The slightly less abrasive than before One," or, alternatively, "The slightly more sympathetic than before One."
Seriously, for as clueless as they was [that's as euphonic as fingernails on a slate but I'll admit it does flag "they" as singular], acquiring even one clue is a major change for Tilly, thus making them [nowhere near as grating as "they was"] a dynamic character.
--- End quote ---
I feel like this may upset you, but, uh, when using the singular "they," you still conjugate as you normally would with "they." "They were," "they like to read," "they laugh often."
This is making me think about character introductions where I liked the character right away vs. character introductions where it took a while. I feel like unfortunately Tilly doesn't seem overly similar in introduction style to any character I've ended up particularly fond of, but I think if they continue to develop like they have over the last few pages, I wouldn't mind them continuing to appear. I just don't see them becoming a fav.
OldGoat:
--- Quote from: Wombt on 23 Dec 2017, 12:29 ---
--- Quote from: OldGoat on 23 Dec 2017, 10:23 ---
--- Quote from: MrNumbers on 23 Dec 2017, 07:04 ---You mean Toffee?
--- End quote ---
"The slightly less abrasive than before One," or, alternatively, "The slightly more sympathetic than before One."
Seriously, for as clueless as they was [that's as euphonic as fingernails on a slate but I'll admit it does flag "they" as singular], acquiring even one clue is a major change for Tilly, thus making them [nowhere near as grating as "they was"] a dynamic character.
--- End quote ---
I feel like this may upset you, but, uh, when using the singular "they," you still conjugate as you normally would with "they." "They were," "they like to read," "they laugh often."
--- End quote ---
Please, cite an authoritative source for this ruling. Have we instituted L'académie anglaise? If so, do they get spiffy uniforms with gold collars and swords, too, like the French? Seriously, even if the NY Times Style Book says to write it that way, it's still awkward as hell when spoken.
Tova:
I feel that the current arc contains two major themes.
The first is obviously Hanners' ongoing relationship with her neglectful mother. This story has been simmering in the background and will likely continue. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The other is this ability Hanners has to empathise with someone who is initially unlikable. This is a good insight into her character. Incidentally, had Tillly been likeable upon their introduction, this story obviously would not have worked.
The spilling out of this theme onto these forums has only added an extra dimension to the story.
P.S. there is no "ruling" on any of this, as I'm sure you know. It's the most common usage at this time.
P.P.S. Why are you even asking for a source when you go on to say you'll ignore it anyway?
Zebediah:
--- Quote from: OldGoat on 23 Dec 2017, 13:11 ---
--- Quote from: Wombt on 23 Dec 2017, 12:29 ---
--- Quote from: OldGoat on 23 Dec 2017, 10:23 ---
--- Quote from: MrNumbers on 23 Dec 2017, 07:04 ---You mean Toffee?
--- End quote ---
"The slightly less abrasive than before One," or, alternatively, "The slightly more sympathetic than before One."
Seriously, for as clueless as they was [that's as euphonic as fingernails on a slate but I'll admit it does flag "they" as singular], acquiring even one clue is a major change for Tilly, thus making them [nowhere near as grating as "they was"] a dynamic character.
--- End quote ---
I feel like this may upset you, but, uh, when using the singular "they," you still conjugate as you normally would with "they." "They were," "they like to read," "they laugh often."
--- End quote ---
Please, cite an authoritative source for this ruling. Have we instituted L'académie anglaise? If so, do they get spiffy uniforms with gold collars and swords, too, like the French? Seriously, even if the NY Times Style Book says to write it that way, it's still awkward as hell when spoken.
--- End quote ---
The “authoritative source” is the English language itself. “You” in modern English is both singular and plural, even though it originally was plural only. At some point “you” also became singular, replacing “thou”. But - and this is the important point - it is still conjugated as plural even in the singular form: “you are”, not “you is”. And this is the closest parallel that exists to singular “they”. So therefore, if we’re going to be consistent, it should be “they are” even in the singular form.
Thrillho:
Please tread lightly around the subject of pronouns, folks. We're all for discussion and education and understanding, but we are primarily a safe space.
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