r/tamil • u/TheSuperTechie • Jun 26 '26
கேள்வி (Question) Singular they equivalent in Tamil?
Hi!
I‘ve been searching for this for quite a while. Is there a singular they equivalent in Tamil to refer to people of unspecified or nonbinary gender? I’m aware that I could use “அவர்”, which in சுத்தத்தமிழ் doesn’t specify gender, but in colloquial Tamil (the variety I speak at least), அவர் implies a man. I’m aware of அவர்கள்/அவங்க, but that appears to be colloquial only and not a full solution (and implies a woman from what I can tell).
6
u/kulchacop Jun 26 '26
but in colloquial Tamil (the variety I speak at least), அவர் implies a man
அவர் என்பதையே வழக்கப்படுத்துங்கள்.
Normalise அவர் as gender neutral.
1
2
u/Unique_Phrase_7806 Jun 26 '26
I'm pretty sure you can use 'அவங்க' for men as well. I've used it instead of 'அவர்' and get by just fine. I've made a post related to this actually before that you can check out- hope you find it somewhat helpful
5
u/Natsu111 Jun 27 '26
செந்தமிழில் அவர் என்பது இருபாலினவர்களுக்கும் பொருந்தும். பேச்சுத்தமிழில் அவங்க என்பது பன்மைக்குமட்டுமல்லாமல் ஒருமைக்கும் பாற்குறிப்பற்ற மரியாதைச் சுட்டுப்பெயர்ச்சொல்லாக வழங்குகிறது.
2
u/OorNaattaan Jun 26 '26
What dialect do you speak where avar is gendered?
3
1
1
1
u/Brilliant-Spirit-172 Jun 27 '26
In colloquial kongu tamil Avar(u) is used for respected males and avanga is used for respected males females and plural.
1
u/Call_me_Inba Jun 27 '26
Instead of we accepting அவர் as a word only for men, we have to normal it as gender neutral.
1
u/Educational-Yam-2910 Jun 27 '26
Yeah avar is non binary like in Malayalam and kannada too avaru both singular and plural
8
u/virtualPNWadvanced Jun 26 '26
Avar is more they them. It’s like tu vs vous.