In this paper, I explore the following research question: are there differences between the tendencies of speakers of English and Dutch, native and non-native, monolingual and non-monolingual, when...Show moreIn this paper, I explore the following research question: are there differences between the tendencies of speakers of English and Dutch, native and non-native, monolingual and non-monolingual, when referring to un(der)specified subjects1? Do native speakers of these languages use different tactics to refer to generic human subjects whose (gender) identity is either unknown or unimportant (in context) than non-native speakers? Also, how does artificial intelligence mimic these tendencies? To answer these questions, I have researched the intuitions of native speakers of English and Dutch, created a survey-writing task hybrid experiment based on the findings, and tested whether the found patterns are (re)produced by participants as well as text-generating artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT (GPT- 3.5). I have found that the consensus of literature appears to be that native Dutch users tend to use the singular third person masculine generically, while native English users prefer to use ‘he/she’. Meanwhile, English and Dutch participants use the (neuter) formal and informal singular second person forms. The ChatGPT-generated texts also predominantly include second person forms in both languages.Show less
