Mary Day Kent wrote:
>
> It is amazing that the issue of masculine-inclusive language can
> still generate controversy. I would have thought that this was old
> hat and resolved before half the subscribers on this list were born!

Amen, Mary!

> Anyway, I have a suggestion based on experience with Friends (Quakers)
> and the usage that is customary among Friends organizations. First,
> omit the title: use the full name when being correct and respectful.
> Second, address letters to unknown people as " dear friends". Even
> if you don't really expect the person opening your bill at the electric
> company to be friendly, it isn't much more of a stretch than calling
> them "dear".

Also right on!  I use "dear friend" often (gives the recipient an opportunity,
at least) and, if I'm feeling frisky and fairly confident about the temperament
of the addressees..."dear folks."

An aspect not really dealt with here, although John M. alluded to it, is the use
of gender-neutral names.  When setting up hypotheticals in classes or in
writing, I try to use names like Pat, Kim, Lee, Tracy, etc.  It often evokes
assumptions that are part of the learning experience, too.

TV

--

Tom Vaughan    "The Waggin' Tongue"
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11795 Road 39.2, Mancos, CO 81328  USA
Cultural Resource Management, Interpretation, Planning, & Training