After having multiple conversations with parents about their non-binary children, I have to admit that constantly using they/them gets confusing as hell. This parent has multiple children and I frequently couldn't tell if they were referring to their children collectively, or to the non-binary child individually.

[–] Erika2rsis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Potential solutions:

while saying "they", hold up one or two fingers depending on if the word is singular or plural (also possible in emoji: ☝️/✌️)
mutter "singular" or "plural" under your breath before saying "they"
replace plural they with "theys" or "thy'all", à la "yous" or "y'all"
pronounce singular they as /θeɪ/ and plural they as /ðeɪ/

[–] Zyansheep@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Wait, what is the difference in pronunciation for θeɪ vs ðeɪ?

[–] Erika2rsis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago

The same difference between "ether" and "either", or "thistle" and "this'll". Voiceless θ, voiced ð.

[–] SpaceAce@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Isn't it the difference between the 'th' sound in they(ð) and through(θ)?

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

or that and thatch.

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