A proper pronoun references a specific person in third person. Proper pronouns show who is spoken of. Proper pronouns can be capitalized, at both the beginning of a sentence and in the body of the sentence. Proper pronouns are derived from the first or last name:
In formal settings (classroom, writing, public gatherings…), proper pronouns can be used as a way of avoiding mis-gendering or generically gendering* a person. Examples of proper pronouns used in sentences:
Kiki is a French professor. K works on gender inclusive classrooms.
One of K’s students asked…
As with proper name, individuals may request a derivative of one’s proper pronoun in the same way that William may wish to be called Bill:
*Generic gendering is any usage of language that expresses an assumption about a person’s gender. This practice is and has always been improper because generic gendering leads to misgendering.
Download a guide for using proper pronouns in the classroom here.
You are invited to use proper pronouns and if you need a way to explain proper pronouns you may link to this site. Here is an example of what that looks like:
properpronouns.com 