![]() | This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
The related policy change was under discussion at Wikipedia:Requests for comment/RfC to adopt a default gender neutral style for policy, guidelines and help pages from 7 April to 7 May 2017. However, the discussion ended with a detailed no consensus summary, which you can find in the rightmost, boxed column.
The English Wikipedia community is committed to providing a welcoming environment. Unless there is a specific reasonable need to the contrary, policy, guideline and help pages are to be written in gender neutral language, refer to Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines § Content. The use of gender pronouns and other language that makes assertions about gender should be avoided. The policy applies to the language of official policy, guideline and help pages. It does not apply to any talk pages or user discussion venues, even if their purpose is to provide help to users, and it does not attempt to regulate the language used in those venues by individual editors.
In practical terms, existing statements which rely on phrases such as "he or she" may be replaced by use of "they" in its modern singular form; however, to keep the context of the sentence may require a reordering of phrases, or a rewrite to remain clear. Where reasonable to do so, sentences should be rewritten to avoid unnecessary pronouns altogether.
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames he or she has used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames they have used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"Appeals by e-mail must specify your Wikipedia username and any other usernames you have used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
![]() | This is an
essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been
thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
The related policy change was under discussion at Wikipedia:Requests for comment/RfC to adopt a default gender neutral style for policy, guidelines and help pages from 7 April to 7 May 2017. However, the discussion ended with a detailed no consensus summary, which you can find in the rightmost, boxed column.
The English Wikipedia community is committed to providing a welcoming environment. Unless there is a specific reasonable need to the contrary, policy, guideline and help pages are to be written in gender neutral language, refer to Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines § Content. The use of gender pronouns and other language that makes assertions about gender should be avoided. The policy applies to the language of official policy, guideline and help pages. It does not apply to any talk pages or user discussion venues, even if their purpose is to provide help to users, and it does not attempt to regulate the language used in those venues by individual editors.
In practical terms, existing statements which rely on phrases such as "he or she" may be replaced by use of "they" in its modern singular form; however, to keep the context of the sentence may require a reordering of phrases, or a rewrite to remain clear. Where reasonable to do so, sentences should be rewritten to avoid unnecessary pronouns altogether.
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames he or she has used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames they have used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"Appeals by e-mail must specify your Wikipedia username and any other usernames you have used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."
"An e-mail appeal must specify the banned editor's Wikipedia username and any other usernames used to edit Wikipedia in the past two years."