>>The closest we got to gender having any significance in English (the form we attempt to speak in the United States) is in the early 1970’s when it was announced that it was improper to refer to the word “their” when male and female were concerned within the same subject. Now we use “his/her”. Progress!
>
>You're missing the point here. The object to "their" isn't for mixed-sex groups, but for the singular:
>
>Wrong: The player brings their bat.
>Right: The player brings his or her bat.
>Right: The players bring their bats.
>
>Tamar

Tamar;

I would suggest you missed the point. What was considered "correct grammar" changes with time. Please note I stated the early 1970’s. What seems correct today many not have been correct in the past.

Taking the word “their” was a specific example. The word “their” has been used in a number of ways throughout the history of the English language. One reason for the change in usage of “their” was the feminist movement. There are other reasons for the meaning and use of words changing with time.

Here is a reference.

http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html

I truly enjoyed listening to Professor S.I. Hayakawa on the history, meaning and use of words. The example above was only one word we studied in depth.



Tom