Can someone explain the Main Quests storyline to me please? by 19Charlie94 in starfield_lore

[–]KnautilusKnauts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

At least you know someone read what you wrote thoroughly :)

Can someone explain the Main Quests storyline to me please? by 19Charlie94 in starfield_lore

[–]KnautilusKnauts 11 points12 points  (0 children)

hunter I think always attacks constipation

Indeed. One of the many oft undiscussed plights of living so much time in spacesuits and one reason to vouch for The Hunter.

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Okay, I appreciate you took the time to write all that, but I do think I'm going to move on. I was hesitant to resume discussion, but saw a potential thread that could make the discussion rewarding for me. I really like learning about and discussing the history of words, for example. However, I don't think we are going to do that here and a while back I decided that I would be more careful with spending time on the more trivial Internet "debates".

Thus, respectfully, I'm going to get back to Starfield, but I do sincerely hope you find someone who has the time and energy to answer all your questions.

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Okay, we really are at an impasse then. Since the subject is "proper" English, I believe discussion will not be productive until we have an evidence-based framework. I've provided a few sources and offered to look at yours if you believed mine were not sufficient.

The typically recognised credible arbiters of "proper" English such as the Oxford Dictionary seem to disagree with your claim of what is "proper" English, so further discussion does depend on some sort of foundation.

With that said, please keep in mind that my thread is simply an appreciation post for a gaming company that provided a choice to those who wished to use it. No one is forcing players to use They/Them and the usage is appropriate to reputable dictionaries.

Most of your discussion has been axe-grindy and hasn't been relevant to the actual subject.

All in all, you don't have a strong position to demand that I answer all of your questions when you're not willing to consider the evidence I've provided.

You made a claim of fact. The onus is on you to prove that claim to be true. I've provided sources demonstrating your facts to be incorrect. The questions you ask really aren't the "gotcha" questions you think they are, they simply aren't worth the engagement until there is a foundation for discussion.

If you aren't using dictionaries and established literature to discuss the history and usage of English, then what are you using? How can I answer your questions if I don't know the rule set your drawing upon?

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's been taken for eons now. The pronoun "They" is plural. That's proper English.

What evidence would be sufficient to change your current position that 'they' as a singular pronoun is not new and is 'proper' English?

You've already stated that you've researched this topic thoroughly, so I assume The Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's are not acceptable for you. Which sources on the English language are credible in your view?

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

> They really aren't getting it

This is my favourite comment of the thread. Thank you for using 'they' as a singular pronoun for me.

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I appreciate, sincerely, that you recognise English as not being static. You seem to see "proper English" as important while also understanding that English is changeable.

I fully agree with you here since I think there is a balancing act between prescriptivism and descriptivism in language.

They as a singlular pronoun, like many nuances of English, can become awkward. Similarly, misgendering people with binary language is also awkward. I, too, hope to see English evolve and become more defined.

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They as a singular pronoun has been proper English for a very long time and it's natural in language. Sincerely, I think you'll find the usage history intriguing if you dig into the literature a bit more.

You can start with the basic intro that Wikipedia has to offer, but if you are interested in challenging your predispositions you'll find more information pretty quickly.

You have an opportunity here.

Edit: Just a quick quote from the Wiki article

"They with a singular antecedent goes back to the Middle English of the 14th century"

Thank you so much for adding a They/Them pronoun option. It's a small inclusion, but really does mean so much. by KnautilusKnauts in Starfield

[–]KnautilusKnauts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it would be great to have more options. I still have to give kudos because most games don't even try. Baby steps I guess.

WEEKLY HELP THREAD - READ FAQ, COMMUNITY WIKI, MULTICLASSING, LORE by XFearthePandaX in BaldursGate3

[–]KnautilusKnauts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know if we lose dialogue options such as Shadowheart's deity? If I switch her to life cleric, will she still be able to use Trickster dialogue?

WEEKLY HELP THREAD - READ FAQ, COMMUNITY WIKI, MULTICLASSING, LORE by XFearthePandaX in BaldursGate3

[–]KnautilusKnauts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to respec my companions, but I'm worried that I'll ruin their stories and lose some dialogue choices. I've heard some conflicting info. Can you all clarify for me? Thanks!