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Theirselves: A Reflexive Pronoun's Rocky Road to Acceptance



Have you ever heard someone say, "They hurt theirselves"? A shudder might run down the spine of a grammar purist. "Theirselves" – a word that feels both intuitively right and grammatically wrong – sparks passionate debate. Is it a creeping infestation of lazy language, or a legitimate evolution of the English language struggling to keep up with modern usage? Let's dive into the surprisingly complex world of this reflexive pronoun.


The Case Against "Theirselves": Grammatical Tradition



Traditional grammar dictates that reflexive pronouns – words like "himself," "herself," "itself," etc. – must agree in number and gender with their antecedent (the noun or pronoun they refer back to). The problem with "theirselves" is its antecedent can be plural and of indeterminate gender. Since "their" already serves as the plural possessive form of "they," a reflexive form mirroring this structure – grammatically speaking – shouldn’t exist. The traditionalist argument rests on the idea that a consistent, predictable grammatical system enhances clarity and precision. To illustrate, consider the sentence: "The team injured theirselves during the game." Traditionalists would prefer "The team injured themselves," arguing that "theirselves" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. This adherence to established rules is the cornerstone of the argument against its use.


The Case For "Theirselves": Linguistic Evolution and Inclusivity



The counter-argument champions linguistic evolution and the need for inclusive language. English is a living, breathing organism, constantly adapting to societal changes. The singular "they" has been used for centuries to refer to a person of unspecified gender, and its acceptance is growing, especially in formal settings. The lack of a gender-neutral reflexive pronoun creates a gap in the language. Using "themselves" when the antecedent is plural and of mixed or unspecified gender feels awkward and sometimes inaccurate. Consider the example: "The applicants submitted their applications and reviewed theirselves thoroughly." Forcing the use of "themselves" feels jarring when the applicants are a diverse group. Advocates for "theirselves" argue that this word fills a crucial linguistic niche, promoting inclusivity and reflecting the reality of our gender-fluid world.


Usage and Context: Navigating the Grey Area



While "themselves" remains the grammatically "correct" option according to traditional rules, the tide is shifting. The usage of "theirselves" is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in informal speech and writing. This doesn't imply a disregard for grammatical correctness, but rather a recognition of evolving linguistic norms. The acceptability of "theirselves" often depends on context and audience. In a formal academic paper, "themselves" is undoubtedly the safer choice. However, in a casual conversation or a blog post addressing a diverse audience, the use of "theirselves" might be perceived as more natural and inclusive, even if technically incorrect.


The Role of Style Guides and Dictionaries



The evolving status of "theirselves" is reflected in the way style guides and dictionaries are adapting. Some style guides remain steadfast in their rejection of "theirselves," while others acknowledge its increasing usage and offer guidance on its appropriate application. Dictionaries are also evolving; some now include "theirselves" with a note acknowledging its informal or non-standard status, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding its legitimacy. This fluidity underscores the dynamic nature of language itself.


The Future of "Theirselves": A Pronoun's Uncertain Destiny



The debate surrounding "theirselves" is far from over. It reflects a broader discussion about linguistic prescriptivism versus descriptivism – whether we should impose strict grammatical rules or acknowledge and adapt to how language is actually used. The increasing acceptance of singular "they" and the growing demand for gender-neutral language suggest that "theirselves" may eventually gain wider acceptance, becoming a standard part of the English lexicon. However, the path to full acceptance remains uncertain, highlighting the ever-evolving and sometimes contradictory nature of language.


Expert-Level FAQs:



1. Is "theirselves" ever grammatically correct? No, according to traditional grammar rules, "theirselves" is not grammatically correct. However, its usage is increasing and its grammatical status is evolving.

2. How can I avoid using "theirselves" in formal writing? Use "themselves" consistently, even if the antecedent is plural and of indeterminate gender. This maintains grammatical consistency and avoids potential criticism.

3. Does the acceptance of singular "they" influence the debate around "theirselves"? Absolutely. The increasing acceptance of singular "they" strengthens the argument for a gender-neutral reflexive pronoun, highlighting the need for "theirselves" to fill the grammatical gap.

4. What is the role of corpus linguistics in understanding "theirselves"? Corpus linguistics, which analyzes large samples of language use, provides valuable data on the frequency and contexts in which "theirselves" appears, offering insights into its evolving usage and acceptance.

5. Will "theirselves" ever be considered standard English? This remains uncertain. Its eventual acceptance will depend on several factors, including the continued evolution of linguistic norms, the influence of style guides, and the ongoing debate surrounding inclusive language.

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Themself, themselves, theirself, or theirselves 21 Apr 2011 · I'm writing a reason as to why I was no longer needed as a caregiver. I'm having problems deciding on whether I should use themself, themselves, theirself, or theirselves. So I need to know which one is correct. Also, I need to know whether the sentence is worded ok or if there would be a better...

word choice - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange 24 Feb 2015 · In English, "they" is used as a singular personal pronoun when the gender of the subject is not known. As gender politics have evolved over the past half-century, and the pace of that change has accelerated in the last decade, personal pronouns have proven fraught with risk and created traps for the unwary.

grammatical number - Why "themselves" and "himself" - English … In the earliest grades of elementary schools, students learn that "hisself" and "theirselves" are not words. I do not understand why this is. If you wanted to refer to 'his' sock, you would say "his sock," not "him sock." Similarly, you would say "their socks," not "them socks." Why do you not call 'his' self hisself and 'their' selves as ...

theirselves? - WordReference Forums 24 Nov 2015 · Changing one word can make the sentence correct. Here is the question: "Many people can spend hours amusing theirselves with bubble wrap."

Theirselves - WordReference Forums 12 Nov 2007 · A working class, poor, local mother says “ my daughters can’t wash theirselves of a Friday night without the whole world gawking in the window and them boys are in a state of sin and should be taken to the priest for confession before their Confirmation tomorrow” (Chapter VIII, page 235, Touchstone international, 1996)

himself/hisself, ourselves/usselves, themselves/theirselves etc. 3 Sep 2006 · The Random House Unabridged gives "theirself" and "theirselves" as nonstandard variants of "themselves." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed., gives "theirselves" and "theirself" as "Chiefly Southern & South Midland U.S." variants of "themselves." See also the link in my reply to panjandrum.

grammaticality - "them", "themselves," or "their selves"? - English ... "Theirselves" is not standard English and is considered ignorant or uneducated. You could, however, quite correctly write a phrase such as "versions of their younger selves." As Fowler repeatedly points out, in cases like this one the problem usually runs deeper than is apparent.

Theirselves - WordReference Forums 12 Nov 2007 · Theirselves and themself for themselves are limited to Vulgar English speech or imitations of it; both are shibboleths. Themself can also occur as an unfortunate result of trying to avoid using a gender-explicit reflexive pronoun by using a blend of …

“他们自己”为什么是themselves？为什么不是theirselves？ - 知乎 18 Aug 2019 · 为了方便发音，m结尾比eir更符合音律习惯，所以就用鼻音代替了，可能最开始就是theirselves也说不定呢。这种情况在英语里很常见的，比如he的宾格变成him，their的宾格变成them。我也喜欢研究这些，希望能够帮助到您

Does "They themselves" need commas? - English Language 25 Mar 2015 · Which of the following sentences has correct comma usage? a) They themselves can state their feelings. b) They themselves, can state their feelings. c) They, themselves, can state their feelings.