Given the amount of user research that is done on the guidance that is added to the design system, I would imagine they've tested it with users and found it works.
That's not a foregone conclusion. It's an active discussion on their github issue.
Yes, their style guide says to use singular "they," and that's what I'm criticizing. Aside from this particular carve-out, it doesn't really align with their style guide, which offers this advise:
* "To keep content understandable, concise and relevant, it should be incisive (friendliness can lead to a lack of precision and unnecessary words)"
* "You should not let caveats dictate unwieldy grammar"
It's perplexing that so many are insisting on creating a problem. There is a perfect solution that affords gender neutrality and incisive language. Why not use it?
Singular they is perfectly reasonable in British English. As others have said it is ancient, and modern. It is more of a purcularity that the singluar they ever became unfashionable.
Yes, their style guide says to use singular "they," and that's what I'm criticizing. Aside from this particular carve-out, it doesn't really align with their style guide, which offers this advise:
* "To keep content understandable, concise and relevant, it should be incisive (friendliness can lead to a lack of precision and unnecessary words)"
* "You should not let caveats dictate unwieldy grammar"
It's perplexing that so many are insisting on creating a problem. There is a perfect solution that affords gender neutrality and incisive language. Why not use it?