Few language debates stir up as much emotion as the question of "they", "them" and "them".
Being able to distinguish between "they" and "them" in writing has for many become a symbol of well-groomed and correct Swedish, and a survey shows that 39 percent of Swedes want to continue making the distinction between "they" and "them".
Lena Lind Palicki is, in addition to the incoming head of the Language Council, also a linguist who has researched the debate.
- You can see that you blame and shame those who can't.
They say they are lazy and "what is wrong with the youth these days", "what do you really learn at school", says Lena Lind Palicki.
Natural language development
That language is something that engages us humans is not a new phenomenon.
- A hundred years ago, the plural forms of the verb were debated because then it was in vogue, says Lena Lind Palicki.
Now it is the question of "them" and "them" that is relevant because it is something that is changing, Palicki believes.
- It is part of a natural language development because we have stopped making this distinction in speech.
Will feel outdated
As "they" and "them" are replaced by "them", our view of older texts will change, Palicki believes.
- What will happen is that old texts with "they" and "them" will feel outdated quite quickly.
Isn't that a problem?
- Above all, it is inevitable.
Language changes whether we like it or not.
Most people agree that it is a natural process that language changes, but few people want the language to change during their own lifetime.