Why we always misunderstand one another on the Internet

[Coriolis]

You mean Fidelio from opera writen by Beethoven ?

I do not know the details of the plot but if a character is pretneding to be of opposite gender then the person that is writting the script has to decide if it important that the audience knows this from the start or it is better that this comes out as a surprise. As I said the only way to cover your gender in my first language is to lie ... however there are no laws of physics that make lying impossible.

Exactly. A woman disguised as a man, Fidelio would refer to herself with male grammar as part of the impersonation. But the librettist, even in writing a stage direction for the character, would have to choose between the real or disguised gender. Similarly there are roles in opera that are male characters but are typically played by female mezzo-soprano singers. These rather narrow examples show how the need to align grammar with gender seems a needless complication. I suppose just an extension of what we experience in English choosing among he, she, it, and the often strictly incorrect they.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Exactly. A woman disguised as a man, Fidelio would refer to herself with male grammar as part of the impersonation. But the librettist, even in writing a stage direction for the character, would have to choose between the real or disguised gender. Similarly there are roles in opera that are male characters but are typically played by female mezzo-soprano singers. These rather narrow examples show how the need to align grammar with gender seems a needless complication. I suppose just an extension of what we experience in English choosing among he, she, it, and the often strictly incorrect they.

Well I would say this is more of a preferance and what you are used to.
I still do not see the problem since a women can still use male grammar if situation requires. In real life that is kinds a silly but I don't see why in art this would be a problem (since it is not a problem), especially if the audience knows what they are watching. (and that is usually the case with operas and similar forms of art). If the person is acting as a character of opposite gender then the person is refered to towards the gender of their character.


The fact is that in my first language the difference between male and female grammar is not big. The only diffrerence is that verbs get "o" continuation for male person while female version gets "la". Otherwise all gramatical laws are identical, however that little add on gives you away if you are honest.