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A brief guide to inclusive writing resources
An English blog post about gender-neutral and inclusive writing resources, as well as emerging trends in the field.When the gender of someone you are writing about is unknown or outside the gender binary, it’s important to avoid references to gender and to write inclusively. In the area of gender-inclusive writing, terminology is constantly evolving. For example, a newer variation of “LGBTQ+,” intended to better represent diverse gender identities, is “2SLGBTQI+.” One of the major changes is that “2S” or “Two-Spirited” is placed in front of the more familiar abbreviation. On a similar note, “x” and “@” have been proposed as symbols for gender neutrality, for example, “Mx.” instead of “Mr.” or “Ms.,” and “Latinx” or “Latin@” instead of “Latino” and “Latina.”Note 1 Should you use “Mx.,” “Latinx” or “Latin@” in your writing? That depends. Such expressions have layers of meaning that are different for different people. A good solution would be to turn to reference materials that have the latest information. Here are some resources that may be helpful in navigating new directions in inclusive writing. Conscious Style Guide The Conscious Style Guide website is a compendium of developments in the field of inclusive language. It was founded by Karen Yin, who launched both the website and The Conscious Language Newsletter in 2015. Yin encourages us to think critically about using language in order to avoid unconscious bias. The site also includes the Gender, Sex + Sexuality guide, which focuses specifically on gender inclusivity and lists a wealth of resources. Justice Canada – Legistics The Legistics page on Justice Canada’s website includes sections on gender-neutral languageNote 2 and the singular “they.”Note 3 It’s noteworthy that, according to the section on the singular “they,” the Government of Ontario adopted an official policy of using gender-neutral language in all official publications, including bills and regulations, as early as 1985. A Progressive’s Style Guide A Progressive’s Style Guide (PDF) is a well-known guide started in 2015 by SumOfUs, a global non-profit advocacy organization. The Guide provides information on a range of issues related to inclusive writing and promotes thoughtfulness and openness about how language is used. SumOfUs consulted a large number of resources and provides terms used by activists and terms avoided or questioned by activists in issue areas including age, disability, health, gender and sex. The Language Portal of Canada The federal government’s Language Portal of Canada contains resources on many topics, including inclusive writing, in its Writing Tips Plus tool. Be sure to check out the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing, which provide practical techniques and solutions in this field. One of the resources included in the Guidelines is the Inclusionary, along with its French counterpart the Inclusionnaire. The Inclusionary contains a list of more than 100 gendered words with suggestions for more inclusive versions, such as “anchor” or “anchor person” instead of “anchorman” or “anchorwoman.” United Nations (UN) Guidelines for Gender-Inclusive Language (in six languages) The UN Guidelines for Gender-Inclusive Language provide best practices and strategies. The Guidelines were developed semi-independently in each of the UN’s six official languages and thus “reflect the specificities and unique features of each language.” UN Gender-Sensitive Lexicon The UN’s searchable Gender-Sensitive Lexicon contains 650 terms in English, French, Arabic, Russian and Spanish. The purpose is to fight gender bias and promote gender equality. There are also various associated references. UNTERM UNTERM, which is the United Nations Terminology Database, provides up-to-date terminology relevant to the work of the UN in the six UN official languages, plus German and Portuguese. For example, the research is very recent for the UNTERM entry “genderqueer person,” which is defined as “A person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both or a combination of male and female genders.” The source listed is “Oxford English Dictionary, online version (consulted on 15 June 2022).” The French equivalents provided are “personne de genre queer” and “intergenre,” from a source dated March 2019. Conclusion Since inclusive writing is a very current issue, terminology in this area is subject to change, and it’s vital to keep up with developments. Otherwise, even with the best of intentions, we may inadvertently use hurtful, insensitive or inaccurate language. This blog post provides a few resources to help us all write more inclusively. Notes Note 1 See the article “A guide to how gender-neutral language is developing around the world” in The Washington Post. Return to note 1 referrer Note 2 See the web page Legistics: Gender-neutral Language. Return to note 2 referrer Note 3 See the web page Legistics: Singular “They”. Return to note 3 referrerSource: Our Languages blog (posts from our contributors)
Number of views: 4,011
2SLGBTQI+ allyship in language: Words matter
An English blog post about allyship and fostering inclusion in the workplace through the use of inclusive language.Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+Note 1) folks often struggle with coming out in the workplace. For many members of the broader 2SLGBTQI+ community, the decision to live authentically at work is contingent on whether they perceive their environment and colleagues to be inclusive. To foster a healthy culture of civility and inclusiveness in the workplace, allies are needed. An ally is an individual who listens to the needs of a person or group that is targeted and discriminated against, and who speaks out and stands up for them. An ally works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for people who are stigmatized, discriminated against or treated unfairly. Being an ally is an active role, and allyship is a journey—it’s a constant work in progress and a commitment to learning and to a state of mind. One way you can demonstrate your allyship to the 2SLGBTQI+ community—and contribute to a workplace that is truly inclusive of everyone—is by using inclusive language. Here are some insights and tips to use as you build your inclusive communication skills. What is inclusive language? While language cannot bruise the skin, it can break the spirit. We should strive to communicate in a way that builds bridges, breaks barriers and affirms peoples’ truths. As noted in an article in the American Psychological Association’s student newsletter, “Inclusive language is more than just avoiding the use of a few antiquated or offensive terms and phrases. It is about embracing communication that acknowledges the power differentials and dynamics of our society and their deleterious effects. It is about showing appreciation for the diversity everyone brings to the table.”Note 2 This includes diversity in gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations and lived experiences . The Government of Victoria’s inclusive language guide notes that “inclusive language ensures we don’t leave people out of our conversations or our work.”Note 3 This includes both the people we work with and the people we serve as public servants. Inclusive language should also be applied both when communicating directly with someone and when describing someone who is not present. Examples of inclusive language include: introducing yourself with your pronouns, and encouraging others to do the same, instead of assuming gender on the basis of appearances using gender-neutral words like “Can I get you folks something?” instead of “Can I get you ladies something?” using person-centered language, which avoids unnecessarily dehumanizing people and reducing them to their gender or sexual identities (for example, saying “gay men” instead of “the gays,” or “a transgender person” instead of “a transgendered”)Note 4 Inclusive language also encompasses a variety of communication modes, including verbal communication, emails, social media, websites and imagery. Putting inclusive language into practice is a shared responsibility amongst employees of all classifications and levels. We can be leaders in this space regardless of whether we are in an entry-level position or the executive cadre. Language is fluid We should all put great thought into how we communicate with and about members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Attitudes can be the most difficult barrier members of the broader 2SLGBTQI+ community face when it comes to achieving full inclusion within the workplace and society. It’s important to remember that language is a mirror of society's attitudes and perceptions. As such, language is constantly changing and advancing to better encompass new ideas, sentiments and connotations. Generationally, we have seen huge societal shifts in how we speak of and address the broader 2SLGBTQI+ community. This includes the reclaiming of some terms which were previously used to disparage the community. Applying inclusive language principles means focusing on the person/people over labels. Listen carefully to how different groups identify themselves and speak of their experiences, and reflect those linguistic choices when communicating with and about these groups. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. Impact over intention When practicing allyship, your good intentions can sometimes miss the mark and lead to unintentional negative impacts. If this happens, one of the most important things to do is to listen and learn from the moment. When putting inclusive communication into practice, you may make mistakes. That’s okay! Embrace that you are a learner and not necessarily an expert when it comes to understanding the identities and lived experiences of others. Commit to doing better next time, which may require you to challenge your own unconscious biases, set time aside for self-reflection, and make a commitment to do more learning and listening. Change is the result of small actions over time. Let’s start today, together. Notes 1 The + (plus) symbol represents folks who identify with broader sexual- and gender-diverse communities and who use additional terms outside of the 2SLGBTQI+ acronym. For more information on 2SLGBTQI+ terminology and common acronyms, you can visit the 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat (opens in new tab). Return to note 1 referrer 2 Efua Andoh, “Why Inclusive Language Matters (opens in new tab),” Psychology Student Network (September 2022). Return to note 2 referrer 3 “LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide (opens in new tab),” Government of Victoria, last reviewed August 18, 2021. Return to note 3 referrer 4 Examples in this list are taken from “Affirming and Inclusive Language (opens in new tab),” Egale (2022). Return to note 4 referrerSource: Our Languages blog (posts from our contributors)
Number of views: 1,945