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Stumbled along the use of the feminine pronoun for "baby". Previously, I've used it and singular they when the sex of the baby is unknown.

  • Is it correct to use the feminine pronoun (she) for "baby" when you don't know if it is a boy or a girl?
  • Can somebody please explain that to me?
  • Here's an example: "At about 6 months, when your baby can sit up, she'll probably be too big to be bathed in an infant tub" (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/baby-bathtubs/buying-guide.htm)
feainnewedd
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1 Answers1

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Personally I would call a baby it or they until they were born or you discover its sex, after which you then use that appropriate pronoun.

On a slightly related note, intersex and non-binary identifiers struggle with pronoun usage and they have found all sorts of alternative pronouns (Wikipedia) including the English they and them and the German zir. Perhaps this is some sort of blueprint that one could carry over to babies?

BladorthinTheGrey
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  • Your personal opinion is a comment, not an answer. Also, your second paragraph reads more like a comment than an answer. Please refrain from posting a comment as an answer. When you have 50 reputation points, you will be able to post a comment. –  Jul 12 '16 at 06:08
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    Well that's strange, people upvoting my apology for ignorance has gotten me to the point at which I can now comment freely, thank you! – BladorthinTheGrey Jul 12 '16 at 06:20
  • No, it's the 2 upvotes on your answer that has now given you 50 points. Each upvote = 10 But I'm not overly keen on the link you posted. Isn't there a better one? To notify someone, so they receive a ping in their inbox, place @ + username. Everytime someone writes a comment under your answer, you will be notified. – Mari-Lou A Jul 12 '16 at 06:23
  • That's what I was talking about, sorry if I didn't make that clear – BladorthinTheGrey Jul 12 '16 at 06:25
  • I've just read your link and it is all about "intersex" people, not a baby. Anyway, you can copy the essential part such as "they, them, their; ze, zir, zirs; ze, hir, hirs" and paste it in your answer. –  Jul 12 '16 at 06:27
  • @Mari-LouA I've added another link, I suppose not 'everyone is gay' – BladorthinTheGrey Jul 12 '16 at 06:31
  • Lol :) :) No, not everyone is. We must respect all people's sexual preferences. Hey, well done with the pinging! EDIT: You're saying that these gender neutral pronouns could also be used for babies, am I right? Thanks for improving your answer. Toodlepips :) – Mari-Lou A Jul 12 '16 at 06:32
  • @Rathony Yes, I'd included it for an interesting tangent that could help with the question, next time I will comment such a response as you have recommended – BladorthinTheGrey Jul 12 '16 at 06:32
  • I think you misunderstood my comment. The question is not about intersex or genderqueer. It's about how to call a baby and if it is OK to call a baby "she" when you don't know its sex. How are your two links related with the question? –  Jul 12 '16 at 06:34
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    They're related to one way of looking at the issue, but they're not strictly related – BladorthinTheGrey Jul 12 '16 at 06:35