Natural gender, in the context of grammar, refers to a noun's gender classification based on the biological sex of the noun's referent, or the lack thereof for neuter nouns. This means we categorize nouns as masculine, feminine, or neuter based on whether they typically refer to a male, female, or neither.
Understanding Natural Gender
- Based on Sex: Natural gender reflects the real-world sex of living things that the nouns represent.
- Pronoun Usage: This impacts the choice of pronouns used to refer to the nouns.
- English Example: In American English, natural gender is readily apparent when using personal pronouns.
Examples of Natural Gender
| Noun | Natural Gender | Pronoun | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girl | Feminine | She | Refers to a female. |
| Boy | Masculine | He | Refers to a male. |
| Table | Neuter | It | Refers to an inanimate object without biological sex. |
| Teacher | Varies | He/She/They | Can refer to a male or female person or non-binary. |
Key Aspects of Natural Gender:
- Direct Link to Biology: The concept of natural gender stems from the observation of biological sex.
- Grammatical Impact: It shapes the selection of grammatically correct pronouns.
- Less Common in Some Languages: While prevalent in English, some other languages may have grammatical gender systems that do not solely align with natural gender.
- Gender Neutral: It’s important to note the rise of gender-neutral pronouns like "they/them/their" that can be used when the sex is unknown or a person does not identify with a gender.
Natural Gender in American English
In American English, natural gender plays a key role in pronoun selection:
- Feminine nouns, like "girl," usually take feminine pronouns, such as "she" and "her."
- Masculine nouns, like "boy," typically use masculine pronouns like "he" and "him."
- Neuter nouns, like "table" or "book," often utilize neuter pronouns such as "it."
- However, human nouns such as ‘teacher’, or ‘student’ may need gender neutral pronouns or the pronouns that the individual identifies with.
By understanding natural gender, you can use correct pronoun references in your written and spoken language, ensuring both clarity and grammatical correctness.
