The third gender is finally getting its long withheld recognition. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is considering adding the gender neutral honorific, Mx, to its annals. The addition is being made for the proper representation of the transgender community in the English language. It will also help those who do not wish to disclose their gender.Jonathan Dent, assistant editor on the OED, told the Sunday Times that Mx will be the first honorific to be included in the English language as an addition to the already existent ones.He said that the addition shows how the English language helps "people using language in ways that suit them rather than letting language dictate identity to them."
The honorific has already been official in Brighton and Hove city council in Sussex for two years. The Royal Mail has also adopted it due to customer request.
However, Devayani, a member of the transgender community and of NGO Privartan Path in Delhi, which works for the empowerment of marginalized communities told NewsGram, "It is good that such things are happening, but they can't improve our lives. The social stigma attached to the transgender community makes it very difficult for us to fit in. Such things aren't practical."
