A copy editor can rewrite to his or her heart's delight, but the only realistic solution that has a chance of ever taking off, and that has already taken off in spoken English (and that is accepted in formal written English in some fields as as social sciences), is "singular they," e.g. "Everyone should take off their coat before entering." The cringes that seeing this in print may cause grammar marms and their acolytes will diminish over time.
"Singular they" has been in use in English since the twelfth century. Odd that something with so ancient a pedigree still finds such irrational resistance.
Some of those "his or her" / "he or she" constructions are completely unnecessary. For example...
The committee shall from time to time elect a chair from among its members and adopt rules to govern its procedures… In judicial districts comprising more than one county, the reporter shall receive [...] actual and necessary expenses of transportation and living expenses when [...] on official business...
@6, You're wrong. This kind of stuff does affect people negatively. It is both symptomatic of and kindling for our misogynistic culture. You might not believe this, but it behooves you to write as suggested the CMS suggests, as it is simply better, tauter language. Many of the techniques offered cut out unnecessary words and eliminate passive voice, making for greater clarity and sleeker language.
Singular they is fine with me, but the suggestions on this list are good and mostly improve the quality of the writing. #1 is bad, though, because it encourages passive voice.
@10, in 5.220, "Good usage versus common usage," Chicago says:
data. Though originally this word was a plural of datum, it is now commonly treated as a mass noun and coupled with a singular verb. In formal writing (and always in the sciences), use data as a plural.
This is right up there in importance and appropriate use of state funds as having liquor board agents protect us from gay porn.
Plus, it makes for another tedious talking point by the conservatives. A talking point that they'll distort and go on about long after the work is done.
I like 'they' and 'their' and it should catch on with more usage. We are supposed to have a 'living" language, no? Another approach by some authors is to alternate she in one sentence and he in the next, etc. This not hard to do in Word programs. It is important for women to visible in our laws and in human consciousness.
Yuck.
"Singular they" has been in use in English since the twelfth century. Odd that something with so ancient a pedigree still finds such irrational resistance.
The programmer should update the records when data ARE transferred by the head office.
truly visionary leadership in these tough times
Plus, it makes for another tedious talking point by the conservatives. A talking point that they'll distort and go on about long after the work is done.