Quote from: Mado G on July 26, 2015, 03:56:46 PM
'it' derives from the Old English pronoun 'hit', which is etymologically closer to 'he', both in sense and use ('hit' has a more animate connotation) than the contemporary 'it'. Perhaps this would be a good compromise, pseudowning 'it' without activating its (two senses) dehumanizing semantics.
most third person pronouns/grammar regarding them are derived from masculinity.
the possesive 's' in hers, bob's, carla's etc... was originally a shortened form of 'his'. Etymologically, you're saying 'her his,' 'bob his,' and 'carla his' when you use it, renaming the original noun.
Man means both human and male human for that reason. Old English had 'man' mean human, 'wer' and 'wif' respectively were 'man' and 'woman.' (This is why werewolves are called werewolves, 'wer'=man, so literally 'man-wolf.') With the influx of latin, 'homo' meaning human replaced man, 'wer' was kicked out and 'wif' became wife.
That being said, while it does hahve negative connotations, I'll respect anyone who wants to use it. I wouldn't use the pronoun myself, but I also recognize that English isn't super accommodating for NB/trans/GQ people.