* Gender is a complex concept: It's not just about biological sex. It encompasses social roles, expectations, identity, and expression.
* Nouns and pronouns refer to specific individuals: They are used to name or describe people and things. Gender, as a concept, isn't something you can directly assign to a noun or pronoun.
* Grammar focuses on categories: While grammar uses categories like masculine, feminine, and neuter, these often relate to biological sex and not the broader concept of gender.
Here's what we *can* do with gender in language:
* Use pronouns that align with someone's gender identity: We can use "she/her" pronouns for a woman, "he/him" for a man, "they/them" for someone who identifies as non-binary, and so on.
* Avoid gender-specific language: For example, instead of "chairman," use "chair" or "leader."
* Use inclusive language: Use terms like "everyone," "all people," or "folks" to refer to a group that includes people of all genders.
In short: While we can't "modify gender" in the way we modify nouns and pronouns, we *can* use language in ways that are respectful and inclusive of everyone's gender identity.