The use of pronouns have changed dramatically over time so I asked ChapGPT for some ideas regarding pronoun evolution. I copied and pasted the response below.

The use of pronouns has evolved significantly over time, reflecting changes in languages, cultures, and societal norms. Here’s a brief overview of the historical evolution of pronoun usage:

• Proto-Indo-European (PIE) Pronouns: The Proto-Indo-European language, the hypothetical common ancestor of many modern Indo-European languages, had a complex system of pronouns, including personal, demonstrative, and interrogative pronouns. As languages diverged and evolved, these pronoun systems also underwent changes.
• Old English: Old English, spoken from the 5th to the 12th century, had a distinct pronoun system that included pronouns for the three grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, neuter). However, this gender-based system began to fade over time.
• Middle English: Middle English, spoken from the 12th to the 15th century, saw a shift towards a simplified gender system. The pronoun “they” was already used as a gender-neutral singular pronoun, but the usage of “he” or “she” could still be context-dependent.
• Modern English: By the time of Early Modern English (15th to 17th century), the gender distinctions in pronouns started to disappear, and the singular “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun became more commonly used. This trend continued into Modern English, which is the form of English used today.
• Rise of Gender-Neutral Pronouns: In recent times, there has been a growing awareness of gender diversity and the limitations of the traditional gender binary. As a result, new gender-neutral pronouns, such as “they/them,” “ze/zir,” and “xe/xem,” have emerged to provide more inclusive options for individuals who don’t identify strictly as male or female.
• Pronoun Usage in Non-English Languages: Similar to English, many other languages have also seen shifts in pronoun usage over time. Some languages have gendered pronoun systems, while others have more flexible or gender-neutral options. In some cases, languages have adopted loanwords or calques from English to incorporate gender-neutral pronouns.
• Social and Cultural Influence: Pronoun usage is not only influenced by linguistic factors but also by social and cultural norms. As societies become more inclusive and accepting of diverse gender identities, the acceptance and use of gender-neutral pronouns have grown.

It’s important to recognize that the evolution of pronoun usage is an ongoing process, and language will continue to adapt to reflect changes in society’s understanding and acceptance of gender diversity. As we move forward, the use of pronouns is likely to continue evolving to become more inclusive and respectful of individuals’ gender identities.

I have a passion for spiders, particularly widow spiders, which are the focus of my Ph.D. research. My work focusses on phylogeography, , population genetics and visual opsins of widow spiders. I am working during the summer months completing my dissertation, and I work full time as an educator during the high school year. I am a member of  the Andrade Lab at the University of Toronto Scarborough (http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/labs/andrade/) where I am surrounded by bright and passionate behavioural arachnologists who study sexual selection, sex pheromones, causes and consequences of male phenotypic variation, personality, and intrasexual signaling! The same adjectives could be used to describe my lab mates from the Lovejoy Lab (where I am also a member); however, they study molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of electric fishes and morphological trait evolution in stingrays and macroecological trends in fish systems. My Ph.D. work has been, and continues to be an amazing adventure!