I thought about this so much when I was writing Under the Henfluence too! It felt weird to call ungendered chicks "they" (though I ultimately went with it for consistency) though I used proper pronouns in the rest of the book. It still felt less accurately descriptive and more like I was doing it to make a statement--which I was.
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@mondaymorningeconomist "Back in the 1930s, economist John Maynard Keynes coined the term “animal spirits” to describe the emotions and instincts that drive economic behavior. When “animal spirits” are strong, businesses invest, consumers spend, and the economy thrives. But when confidence falters, a growing economy can quickly lose momentum."
It’s clearer to me that the copy editor used “its” because it’s singular. “Their” is plural, like the reference to one dog. And animals don’t care what their pronouns are - they’re not as self-concerned!!
I thought about this so much when I was writing Under the Henfluence too! It felt weird to call ungendered chicks "they" (though I ultimately went with it for consistency) though I used proper pronouns in the rest of the book. It still felt less accurately descriptive and more like I was doing it to make a statement--which I was.
That's exactly how I feel - I am using pronouns in the book that I probably wouldn't use in real life precisely because I am making a statement!
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In the first example if you use the pronoun they it sounds like your neighbour and the dog both pooped on your lawn together.
rats are NOT its.
They always sounds like plural to me.
their sounds like the appropriate possessive as in 'spread their paws'
@mondaymorningeconomist "Back in the 1930s, economist John Maynard Keynes coined the term “animal spirits” to describe the emotions and instincts that drive economic behavior. When “animal spirits” are strong, businesses invest, consumers spend, and the economy thrives. But when confidence falters, a growing economy can quickly lose momentum."
It’s clearer to me that the copy editor used “its” because it’s singular. “Their” is plural, like the reference to one dog. And animals don’t care what their pronouns are - they’re not as self-concerned!!
Plus they just want to be called to dinner.