Elle (Spanish pronoun)

Elle is a Spanish neopronoun used by some non-binary people in the Spanish-speaking world. It is intended as a gender-neutral alternative to the binary pronouns él (he) and ella (she). Its plural form is elles.

Grammatical Usage:

Elle is used to refer to individuals who do not identify within the traditional male/female gender binary. It is typically used in contexts where the gender of the individual is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally unspecified, or when the individual explicitly prefers this pronoun.

The pronoun elle requires corresponding grammatical adjustments in related words, such as adjectives and possessive pronouns. This is achieved by replacing the typical masculine "-o" or feminine "-a" endings with "-e." For example:

• Él es alto. (He is tall.)
• Ella es alta. (She is tall.)
• Elle es alte. (They are tall - using elle)

Acceptance and Usage:

While gaining increasing visibility and use within certain communities, particularly online and among younger generations, elle is not universally accepted or recognized by all Spanish speakers. The Real Academia Española (RAE), the official institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language, does not currently recognize elle as part of standard Spanish. Therefore, its usage can be considered non-standard or informal in many contexts.

The usage of elle is often a matter of personal preference and depends on the specific context and the individual's identity. It is crucial to respect an individual's chosen pronouns.