[Angela28735]

Is it incorrect to use the gender specific pronouns? When quoting authors of past generations, should a speaker/writer rewrite phrases that include allness? As an example should the phrase,’Man is the symbol using, symbol making, symbol misusing animal,’ be replaced with ‘Humans are the symbol..?’

User Detail :  

Name : Angela28735, City : Lumberton, State : NC, Country : United States, 

[DaneR]

No, it’s a quote, it is what the author said you can’t it change it or it wouldn’t be a quote it would be something like a paraphrase. I’m sure everyone would understand what it meant. You can’t change quotes just to make them “include” all people when they already do just with a different word.

User Detail :  

Name : DaneR, Age : 19, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, 

[ShirleyAvery]

As an English teacher, let me say that if you refer to a direct quote it has to be given EXACTLY as it was written. You may add the historical context for the quote to explain why it doesn’t adhere to p.c. rules of today. You can paraphrase a quote so long as you explain that this is the gist of the idea, not the exact quote. Just Curious

User Detail :  

Name : ShirleyAvery, Gender : F, Disability : none, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 52, City : st. louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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