John McWhorter | Pronoun Trouble

Best-selling linguist John McWhorter—author of more than 20 books, prolific writer, and associate professor at Columbia University—is returning to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to discuss one of the most controversial language topics of our time: pronouns.

In his latest book, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words, McWhorter explores how language transcends its foundations and evolves into something far more complex. He examines how something so basic can become intertwined with the core of what defines us all. By tracing the etymology of pronouns, he explains in an accessible and digestible way how ancient linguistic roots evolved, while exploring how historical forces streamlined English’s once-varied second-person pronouns into the simple form you.

Perhaps most notably, McWhorter defends the modern use of "they" as a singular pronoun for gender nonconforming individuals. He argues that resisting language’s natural evolution is futile, as it constantly adapts to cultural and societal changes. With wit and sharp insight, McWhorter shows that small words are anything but insignificant—they shape how we understand ourselves and each other.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on how language grows and evolves, and how our rhetoric reflects the times. Language matters—it shapes how we interact and think. Its fascination lies in the power it holds, with meanings shifting and transforming over time.

Notes

Photo by Eileen Barroso.

Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.

April 17, 2025

Speakers

John McWhorter
Associate Professor of Linguistics, Columbia University; Weekly Columnist, The New York Times; Podcast Host, "Lexicon Valley"; Author, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words

In Conversation with Melissa Caen
Attorney; Legal Analyst

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