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List:       php-doc-cvs
Subject:    Re: [DOC-CVS] Re: svn: /phpdoc/en/trunk/reference/pcre/ pattern.modifiers.xml
From:       "Christoph M. Becker" <cmbecker69 () gmx ! de>
Date:       2017-03-27 14:24:51
Message-ID: da1aed8c-5b22-6f25-3af0-61040294064b () gmx ! de
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On 27.03.2017 at 11:15, Maciek Sokolewicz wrote:

> On 27-3-2017 11:00, Peter Cowburn wrote:
>
>> On 27 March 2017 at 09:45, Maciek Sokolewicz <tularis@php.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Hm, this is more gender-neutral, that's true.
>>>
>>> However it is no longer grammatically correct. You're combining a
>>> singular
>>> noun (the attacker) with a plural form (them).
>>
>> The change here (using "them" in the singular) is grammatically correct.
> 
> Sorry, you're correct, it is indeed grammatically correct (my bad),
> Rather it's a matter of style. The singular they (or them in this case)
> is gaining ground, and more people are using it these days. But it's
> still a bit controversial in many places, and many style guides by large
> publishers suggest trying to avoid its use. I personally believe
> avoiding would also be better. Somehow (to me) it still feels wrong.
> Hence my reply.

Gender neutrality is a delicate topic[1], and I think we should add a
general rule to our documentation style guidelines[2], whatever this
would be.  I abstain from discussing the details, however, due to my
limited knowledge of the English language. :)

[1] <https://www.joyent.com/blog/the-power-of-a-pronoun>
[2] <http://doc.php.net/tutorial/style.php>

-- 
Christoph M. Becker

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