The word "themself" is not widely used in standard English, as it is considered a non-standard or dialectical variant of the reflexive pronoun "themselves". Its pronunciation can be transcribed as /ðɛmˈsɛlf/ (them-sellf), with the stress falling on the second syllable. Some speakers might use "themself" to indicate a singular antecedent, as opposed to "themselves" which is reserved for plural antecedents. However, this usage is not universally accepted and may be considered incorrect in formal writing or speech.
Themself is a reflexive pronoun that refers to an individual when they are the object of a sentence. It is used in the singular form to express the gender-neutral or non-binary identity of a person. The word is a combination of the pronoun "them" and the reflexive suffix "-self." Therefore, themself signifies that the person is both the object and the subject of the sentence, indicating that they are taking action upon themselves.
The usage of themself acknowledges the gender diversity that exists beyond the traditional he/him or she/her pronouns. By incorporating themself into their language, individuals affirm and respect the self-identified gender expression of others. It offers a way to refer to a person in a manner that does not assume a specific gender identity.
The inclusion of themself in the English language also reflects the ongoing evolution of language to be more inclusive and attentive to various gender identities. It allows individuals who do not identify as strictly male or female to be represented and recognized linguistically. Themself is a powerful word that supports equality, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals, irrespective of their gender identity.
The word "themself" is derived from the Old English pronoun "þǣmsylfum", which means "themselves". It developed from the combination of the preposition "thǣm" meaning "to, at" and the suffix "-sylfum" signifying "self". Over time, "þǣmsylfum" evolved into "themself" in Middle English, maintaining the same meaning of referring to a reflexive pronoun for multiple individuals. This construction differs from "themselves", which is typically used as a reflexive pronoun for a plural antecedent. The usage of "themself" as a gender-neutral singular pronoun has gained popularity more recently, particularly in discussions related to gender inclusivity and non-binary individuals.