Marain, the Culture's quintessentially wonderful language {so the Culture will tell you}, has, as any schoolkid knows, one personal pronoun to cover females, males, in-betweens, neuters, children, drones, Minds, other sentient machines, and every life-form capable of scraping together anything remotely resembling a nervous system and the rudiments of language {or a good excuse for not having either}. Naturally, there are ways of specifying a person's sex in Marain, but they're not used in everyday conversation; in
Marain, the language of the Culture, is celebrated for its simplicity and inclusiveness, using just one personal pronoun that encompasses all genders and sentient beings. This approach reflects the Culture's values of equality and understanding among diverse life forms, making it a practical choice for everyday conversation. Although the language allows for the specification of gender when necessary, such distinctions are rarely employed in common dialogue, showcasing a focus on universal communication.
Iain M. Banks, in "The Player of Games," illustrates how Marain promotes a culture where language and identity are fluid and non-restrictive. By minimizing the emphasis on gender, Marain embodies the Culture's ethos, fostering an environment where beings are recognized for their thoughts and actions rather than traditional identities. This creates a society that values every form of intelligence and consciousness, challenging conventional views on language and identity.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
