LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Scientific discovery drives language changes

Richard Nerf, Bremerton

Scientific discovery drives language changes

Like Pam Dzama ("A few words on gender neutrality," Dec. 7), I prefer precise use of language. However, I think gender terms are changing for reasons other than political correctness. We are finding our traditional terms insufficient to characterize distinctions revealed by science that do not match the cultural assumptions on which the language is based.

Biologically, a person's sex can be characterized by genotype (X and Y chromosomes), phenotype (sex organs), and brain anatomy. During fetal development Mother Nature can mix-and-match these three measures of gender. Objectively, e.g. at an autopsy, one could observe any of eight different "genders," although our language allows only two, determined by the person's phenotype. Less objectively, our culture also recognizes masculine and feminine behaviors. Stereotypical gender behaviors probably represent the effects of brain anatomy, but the extent to which nurture plays a part is uncertain.

In the past we have assumed that the phenotypical and behavioral aspects had to match, and that if they didn't, either the person or the nurturers were at fault. As we find these assumptions untenable, our language must be able to incorporate distinctions that allow precise discourse.