PRONOUN CHOICE IN NON-BINARY ENGLISH SPEAKERS: IDENTITY AND SYNTAX IN NATURAL SPEECH

Abstract

The research paper studies the syntactic and identity dimension of pronoun selection with non-binary speakers of the English language, whose belonging to the linguistic structures corresponds to their gender identity. The study deals with ambiguous relationship between linguistic norms, the identity of the individual and social expectation regarding non binary use of language. This paper identifies trends in the choice of pronouns and syntax so far used by non-binary individuals in different social situations through the analysis of natural speech data. The results indicate that the pronoun preference of non-binary speakers is related both to self-perception of gender self-expression and to strategies to relate to social systems that construct language. Also, the paper identifies the obstacles and possibilities in modifying traditional English syntax to capture the gender diversity. The article is relevant to general knowledge on how language reflects, reinforces and negotiates gender identities, providing an insight into dynamically flowing gender-neutral language.