Research finds pronoun use not only shaped by language but also beliefs

Pronouns like "he" and "she" are at the center of much debate as society tries to shift to using more gender-inclusive pronouns like "they"—especially when referring to those with identities that do not fit with traditional pronouns. Research at the University of New Hampshire looked at the use of pronouns in two different languages—including one where all pronouns are identity neutral—and found that people's use of pronouns reflects not just the language they speak but also their ideologies.