CHAT: Gender systems (was: Metrical, stress, feet etc.)

On Monday, February 9, 2004, at 03:31 PM, Andreas Johansson wrote:

> Quoting Philippe Caquant <herodote92@...>:
[snip]

>> Anyway, a
>> computer program can rather easily cut any text into
>> syllables, provided you give him the rules applying
>>                              ^^^
>
> Three-gender systems are wonderful, aren't they? :)
They're Ok - but the half dozen or so of the Bantulangs are even better  :
)
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On Monday, February 9, 2004, at 06:32 PM, Philippe Caquant wrote:
[snip]

> OK, I forgot that there are 3 genders in English and
> that a computer should be referred to as neutral. But
> is this really justified ? I conceive a computer like
> something intermediar between human and inanimated. So
> maybe English should invent a 4th gender for IT.
But, mon ami, you referred to the computer _program_ as 'him', not the
computer!

The computer is a dumb machine anyway, quite inanimate - just an expensive
paperweight without its 'logiciel'.  I've tended to think of programs as
'her' rather than 'him'. Maybe that's something to do with meeting ELIZA
many years ago (and, no, she didn't fool me  :)

Ray
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