This thesis researches the ever-changing landscape of English language and language in general, which, through its rich history, has seen significant societal changes that have impacted its rules. Neopronouns, and its subdivision of nounself pronouns, have become a common topic of not only linguistic, but general discussions as well, forming countless varying opinions on their acceptability, practicality, and necessity. The question of what these pronouns are, why they are important, and what awaits them in the future, is being asked by linguists and language users alike, highlighting a gap in the literature.
The thesis aims to answer these questions by utilising a combination of qualitative and quantitative sociolinguistic methodologies. It conducts an empirical analysis of online blogs, discussion platforms, and social media content. These findings are compared to the scarce existing literature and serve as the basis for a targeted survey on neopronouns, which constitutes the second part of the study. The findings highlight important aspects of introducing new pronouns to the lexicon, such as numerous societal challenges, disagreements within different communities, including LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent groups, and underscore the implications of cultural diversity and sensitivity in the process of language evolution. The findings suggest that a compromise between the proponents and opponents of neopronouns is pivotal to achieve the goal of incorporating these pronouns into the English language.
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