TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU From:Tim Covil <covil_t -at- WIZTEC-USA -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 13 Aug 1997 10:26:49 -0400
Diane wrote:
It calls for a "revival" of the singular use of 'they,' citing such use
by Jane Austen
and William Shakespeare among others.
I reply:
Shoot, let's don't stop there. Let's revive Middle English in its
entirety! ;).
"Whilst on the File menu, thou shouldst clicketh Save. If thou dost
experienceth problems, contacteth thy account representative."
But I can see it now. A fierce debate will spring up in this newsgroup
between proponents of Middle English and Old English. It could get ugly!
:)
>----------
>From: Williams, Diane (contractor)[SMTP:Williams_Diane -at- DOTE -dot- OSD -dot- MIL]
>Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 1997 10:22 AM
>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: Re: use of he/she/they
>
>Chicago (14th ed.) has a nice "out" clause for using 'they' with a
>singular antecedent on page 76 in footnote number 9. It calls for a
>"revival" of the singular use of 'they,' citing such use by Jane Austen
>and William Shakespeare among others. I try to avoid it if possible, but
>it's apparently not a felony or even a misdemeanor anymore!
>
> TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
>to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
> to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
> Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
>browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
>
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
