Key Takeaways:
- The addition of a new, unofficial Chinese pronoun to the Unicode standard has been celebrated as a major step towards broader recognition of non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures.
- The pronoun, X也, has been adopted by some members of the intersex and non-binary community as a way to express their identity in a language that traditionally uses male and female pronouns.
- The use of X也 is seen as a way to challenge traditional binary systems and provide a more inclusive and empowering option for non-binary individuals.
- The adoption of X也 has symbolic power, lending weight and legitimacy to the pronoun and recognizing the existence of non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures.
- The move is particularly significant in a region where LGBTQ+ rights and representation are often limited, and where conservative attitudes and government crackdowns have made life increasingly tough for the community.
Introduction to the Issue
The issue of pronoun usage has long been a challenge for non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures. For Siufung Law, a high-profile non-binary activist, the question of which pronoun to use has been a difficult one. With Chinese pronouns traditionally split into male and female forms, Law had no easy answer until they discovered an unofficial pronoun that had been invented by the intersex and non-binary community. This pronoun, X也, has been adopted by some members of the community as a way to express their identity in a language that traditionally uses male and female pronouns.
The History of Chinese Pronouns
Chinese pronouns were not always binary. In fact, the language did not have gendered pronouns to begin with, with the character 他 (tā) used for all people. However, with the influence of Western languages and the early feminist movement in China, a new female pronoun, (tā), was created. This new pronoun was pronounced the same as the original 他, but with a different character. The creation of this new pronoun marked a shift towards a more binary system, with 他 becoming associated with maleness and with femaleness.
The Need for a New Pronoun
Despite the existence of 他 as a once-gender-neutral pronoun, many non-binary individuals feel that it is no longer suitable for use as a gender-neutral term. Fan, a 23-year-old agender Hong Konger, tried to adopt 他 when they began using they/them pronouns, but found that it felt "not very right" due to its association with maleness. Instead, Fan uses the alternative TA, which is written in all caps and captures the sound of the Chinese pronouns without the gendered connotations. However, even TA has its limitations, with some finding it odd to insert English letters into a sentence of Chinese characters.
The Adoption of X也
The adoption of X也 into the Unicode standard has been a major step towards broader recognition of non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures. The character, which looks similar to the existing Chinese pronouns but with an X on the side, has been celebrated as a way to challenge traditional binary systems and provide a more inclusive and empowering option for non-binary individuals. However, the process of getting X也 added to Unicode was not straightforward, with the application being submitted in 2020 and taking nearly five years to be approved.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite the significance of the adoption of X也, there are still challenges and limitations to its use. For one, it may take months or years for tech platforms and font manufacturers to update their systems and implement the new character, making it difficult for users to type and search for it. Additionally, there is the task of convincing people to actually use the pronoun, particularly in regions where LGBTQ+ rights and representation are limited. In Hong Kong, for example, most people speak Cantonese, which has its own version of a gender-neutral pronoun, lessening the demand for a new character.
Symbolic Power and Empowerment
The adoption of X也 has symbolic power, lending weight and legitimacy to the pronoun and recognizing the existence of non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures. For Law, the adoption of X也 is a way to challenge traditional binary systems and provide a more inclusive and empowering option for non-binary individuals. The move is particularly significant in a region where LGBTQ+ rights and representation are often limited, and where conservative attitudes and government crackdowns have made life increasingly tough for the community. As Fan notes, "having a choice tells you that your desire or your identity is a valid option… The existence of this option itself is a very empowering thing."
Conclusion
The adoption of X也 into the Unicode standard marks a significant step towards broader recognition of non-binary individuals in Chinese-speaking cultures. While there are still challenges and limitations to its use, the symbolic power of the pronoun is undeniable. As a way to challenge traditional binary systems and provide a more inclusive and empowering option for non-binary individuals, X也 has the potential to inspire more conversations and provoke change. As Law notes, "having a pronoun that recognizes us is so important at this time," particularly in a region where LGBTQ+ rights and representation are often limited.