A brief back-and-forth between my sister-in-law and myself on Facebook, I wrote this sentence (in support of gay and transgender rights.)
"whenever I see someone make a comment about gays marrying, or transgenders using the "wrong" bathroom"
She then got snippy, and stated that "it's 'transgender person' saying "transgender" is dehumanizing."
I explained that "person," in this case, is implied. I gave her a litmus test:
"An Italian married an Asian." or "A Jew married a Christian."
She said: "But you used transgender as a noun!"
Not really. I also used "Italian," "Asian," "Christian" and "Jew" with the same condition as "transgender" or "gay;" without the usage of the word "person."
I explained that those are adjectives; they are describing "person." "Person" is implied, because only "people" can marry. "Italian" and "Asian" is just a description of the races of the people who got married.
She then sniped back: "You are new to this. I have been in the transsexual and gay community for decades now. I know more than you, and that terminology is offensive."
I am ready to respond to her, but before I do, I need to make sure that I am using the English language properly.
Is "Italian" and "Asian" considered an adjective with "person" already implied? Or are "Asian" and "Italian" considered nouns?
(Regardless of whether or not it is a noun or an adjective, I still have a litmus test that holds up for other conditions outside of the specific topic.) This thread is mostly about the proper usage of the English language, rather than a debate about the rights of gays or transsexuals. (Did it again. ;) )
As an added bonus, perhaps someone may have an actual insight into why it is offensive to say "gays" or "transsexuals," but it is ok to say "Italians" or "Christians."
ETA: I hope I got the correct forum for this. I figure a question about grammar and language should belong in the literature forum.
"whenever I see someone make a comment about gays marrying, or transgenders using the "wrong" bathroom"
She then got snippy, and stated that "it's 'transgender person' saying "transgender" is dehumanizing."
I explained that "person," in this case, is implied. I gave her a litmus test:
"An Italian married an Asian." or "A Jew married a Christian."
She said: "But you used transgender as a noun!"
Not really. I also used "Italian," "Asian," "Christian" and "Jew" with the same condition as "transgender" or "gay;" without the usage of the word "person."
I explained that those are adjectives; they are describing "person." "Person" is implied, because only "people" can marry. "Italian" and "Asian" is just a description of the races of the people who got married.
She then sniped back: "You are new to this. I have been in the transsexual and gay community for decades now. I know more than you, and that terminology is offensive."
I am ready to respond to her, but before I do, I need to make sure that I am using the English language properly.
Is "Italian" and "Asian" considered an adjective with "person" already implied? Or are "Asian" and "Italian" considered nouns?
(Regardless of whether or not it is a noun or an adjective, I still have a litmus test that holds up for other conditions outside of the specific topic.) This thread is mostly about the proper usage of the English language, rather than a debate about the rights of gays or transsexuals. (Did it again. ;) )
As an added bonus, perhaps someone may have an actual insight into why it is offensive to say "gays" or "transsexuals," but it is ok to say "Italians" or "Christians."
ETA: I hope I got the correct forum for this. I figure a question about grammar and language should belong in the literature forum.
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