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Results 31 to 40 of 146 (page 4 of 15)
Gender-inclusive writing: Repeat the noun
On this page Introduction Guidelines for repeating the noun Advantages of repeating the noun Additional information Introduction You probably learned in school to avoid using the same noun more than once in a sentence. This is usually because the reader doesn’t need the same information twice. However, one way to write inclusively is by intentionally repeating a noun, a technique that can help you avoid gender-specific pronouns. Example of a gendered sentence and an inclusive solution Gendered sentence Inclusive solution When an employee is required by the employer to work overtime, he will be compensated accordingly. When an employee is required by the employer to work overtime, the employee will be compensated accordingly. Guidelines for repeating the noun Ask yourself these questions: Are there many words between the first use of the noun and its pronoun? Does the sentence have more than one noun? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, try repeating the noun to make the sentence both clear and inclusive. Examples of gendered sentences and clear and inclusive solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solution An athlete’s road to the Olympics is long and arduous and is sure to test her resolve. An athlete’s road to the Olympics is long and arduous and is sure to test the athlete’s resolve. If a judge interrupts counsel, counsel must wait until he or she is finished speaking before replying. If a judge interrupts counsel, counsel must wait until the judge is finished speaking before replying. If the sentence is short or if repeating the noun would force you to use the noun more than twice, you may want to consider other gender-inclusive solutions. Advantages of repeating the noun If your sentence has more than one noun, repeating the noun has an advantage over other gender-inclusive solutions: it prevents ambiguity. Of course, to replace a gender-specific pronoun, you can also use the singular “they” (see our article Gender-inclusive writing: Use the singular “they”). However, using this technique in sentences that have more than one noun can sometimes lead to confusion. Repeating the noun, on the other hand, adds precision and can be a useful inclusive technique for legal writing or other formal contexts where you need to avoid all ambiguity. Examples of gendered sentences, inclusive but unclear solutions, and inclusive and clear solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive but unclear solution Inclusive and clear solution A teacher can provide instruction to students even after her official class hours have ended. A teacher can provide instruction to students even after their official class hours have ended. A teacher can provide instruction to students even after the teacher’s official class hours have ended. When a tenant is in conflict with another occupant, he must submit a written explanation of the conflict within 30 days. When a tenant is in conflict with another occupant, they must submit a written explanation of the conflict within 30 days. When a tenant is in conflict with another occupant, the tenant must submit a written explanation of the conflict within 30 days. Additional information Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources Inclusive writing: Glossary Gender-inclusive writing: Use the singular “they”Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,295
Gender-inclusive writing: Use sentence fragments
On this page Introduction Guidelines for using sentence fragments Additional information Introduction In most writing, you can’t convey complete thoughts without using complete sentences: in other words, sentences that have both a subject and a verb. However, in certain situations, you can use incomplete sentences to make your writing gender-inclusive. These incomplete sentences are called sentence fragments. Example of a gendered sentence and an inclusive solution Gendered sentence Inclusive solution The applicant must be willing to work one out of four weekends. He or she must also be willing to travel on occasion. The applicant must be willing to work one out of four weekends willing to travel on occasion Guidelines for using sentence fragments In general, avoid using sentence fragments in formal writing. Consider using them if you’re drafting a work description, job posting or list of tasks, or some similar piece of writing, especially when you have a long list of points. Examples of gendered sentences and inclusive solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solution As a team leader, the applicant will be required to manage 15 employees. He must provide team members with guidance and advice. He will be required to prepare the team’s performance appraisals. In consultation with each team member, he will be expected to prepare individual learning plans. As a team leader, the applicant will be required to manage a team of 15 employees provide team members with guidance and advice prepare team members’ performance appraisals prepare individual learning plans in consultation with each team member The incumbent develops, implements and evaluates client service programs. He or she advises management on how best to improve client services. He or she implements innovative solutions to technical problems. The incumbent develops, implements and evaluates client service programs; advises management on how best to improve client services; and implements innovative solutions to technical problems. Additional information Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources Inclusive writing: Glossary Fragment, sentence fragment Vertical listsSource: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,279
Gender-inclusive writing: Address the reader directly
On this page Introduction Guidelines for addressing the reader directly Additional information Introduction To make your writing gender-inclusive, consider personalizing your message by addressing the reader directly. Addressing the reader is an effective technique because “you” is a pronoun that includes all genders. Examples of gendered sentences and inclusive solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solution The tenant must keep his apartment clean and tidy. You must keep your apartment clean and tidy. The worker is required to punch in before starting her shift. You are required to punch in before starting your shift. The candidate must write his name at the top of his answer sheet. Write your name at the top of your answer sheet. Guidelines for addressing the reader directly Ask yourself the following questions: Are you suggesting that your reader do something? Are you making a request or giving an order? Do you need to provide some instructions? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider changing the gendered pronoun to “you” or “your.” The more personal, direct tone that results might suit the message you’re trying to convey. Examples of gendered sentences and inclusive solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solution A public servant is expected to demonstrate the utmost integrity when dealing with his clients. As a public servant, you are expected to demonstrate the utmost integrity when dealing with your clients. The incumbent is required to perform her tasks in keeping with established service standards. You must perform your tasks in keeping with established service standards. Additional information Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources Inclusive writing: Glossary Gender-inclusive writing: Use the singular “they”Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,241
Gender-inclusive writing: Use the pronoun “one”
On this page Introduction Guidelines for using numerical “one” Guidelines for using impersonal “one” Additional information Introduction In certain cases, you can avoid gender-specific pronouns by using the neutral singular pronoun “one.” Remember, though, that “one” can be used in the numerical sense or in the impersonal sense. Numerical “one” can replace a noun used as a single hypothetical person who represents a specific group. Impersonal “one” is used to convey a general statement that includes everyone. Two examples where the pronoun “one” is used to make a gendered sentence inclusive Technique Gendered sentence Inclusive solution Numerical “one” A lawyer in Toronto is likely to earn more than she would in Halifax. A lawyer in Toronto is likely to earn more than one in Halifax. Impersonal “one” Under the law, a tenant has the right to control access to his apartment. Under the law, one has the right to control access to one’s apartment. Guidelines for using numerical “one” You can use numerical “one” to craft an inclusive sentence when you’re making a comparison. Examples of gendered sentences and inclusive solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solution A home buyer in Northern Ontario will pay a lower price than he would in Southern Ontario for a comparable dwelling. A home buyer in Northern Ontario will pay a lower price than one in Southern Ontario for a comparable dwelling. A nurse in Canada has access to more advanced training than she would receive in a less developed nation. A nurse in Canada has access to more advanced training than one in a less developed nation. Guidelines for using impersonal “one” You can use impersonal “one” to craft an inclusive sentence when you want to be objective and formal. But a word of warning: use this technique with caution. Keep in mind that impersonal “one” is dated and rarely used in Canadian English. Because of its formality, it may make your writing sound pretentious. Example of a gendered sentence and an inclusive solution Gendered sentence Inclusive solution Anyone who wants to avoid heart problems should limit his intake of unhealthy fats. To avoid heart problems, one should limit one’s intake of unhealthy fats. Additional information Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources Inclusive writing: GlossarySource: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,116
Usher of the Black Rod
Note the capital letters in the gender-neutral title Usher of the Black Rod. The holder of this office has ceremonial and security responsibilities in the Senate. The position of Usher of the Black Rod dates back about 500 years in British parliamentary tradition. The office was called the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod until 1997, when the first woman was appointed to the position. Twelve men in succession held the position of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the Senate of Canada before the first woman was appointed.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,052
10 interesting facts about the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing
An English blog post presenting 10 interesting facts about the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing.Questions about how to deal with gender may arise in different writing situations, such as when you’re drafting a letter to a group of individuals of diverse genders, compiling the results of a survey conducted with a specific population, or writing the biography of a non-binary person. These are just some of the writing situations that can be addressed using the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing (opens in new tab), published on the Language Portal of Canada. The Guidelines include inclusive writing principles and techniques, as well as a number of resources. Here's an overview of 10 interesting facts about the Guidelines. History 1) The Guidelines for Inclusive Writing are the result of the collaborative efforts of a working group. The Interdepartmental Working Group on Inclusive Writing is made up of more than 35 federal, provincial and territorial organizations, and is co-chaired by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Canadian Heritage and Public Services and Procurement Canada (represented by the Translation Bureau’s Language Portal of Canada). Both the English and French versions of the Guidelines have been available online on the Language Portal of Canada website since fall 2022. 2) Before the Guidelines were published, different groups within the federal public service were asked to comment on the contents. These groups included: language and communications specialists; departments and agencies; and equity, diversity and inclusion networks. Principles and techniques 3) The Guidelines include a variety of techniques for writing inclusively in English and French. These techniques are not revolutionary. They’re already out there and include methods such as rewriting a sentence, using the singular “they,” and tailoring a message to a target audience. The techniques are considered possible solutions, rather than absolute rules. 4) Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. No solution is perfect, and no solution will work in every situation. One of the principles in the Guidelines is to apply the technique or techniques that work best, taking into account the nature of the text and the target audience. 5) One of the five main principles in the Guidelines is to write clearly and effectively. The goal of inclusive writing is, of course, to be inclusive, so the message has to be accessible to everyone in the target audience. The Guidelines make it clear that accessibility must be taken into consideration and that a piece of writing should not be needlessly complex or dense. Inclusive writing techniques need to be carefully selected to ensure that the message is understood and that clarity is maintained. 6) The Guidelines include new techniques for addressing or referring to non-binary people. These techniques include using the singular “they,” neopronouns, such as “ze” or “hir,” and gender-inclusive courtesy titles, such as “Mx.” But before you use any of these techniques, it’s important to ask the individual what their preference is and follow their lead, as recommended in the Guidelines. 7) There’s also a quick reference sheet available for use online or in printable PDF format. The quick reference sheet (opens in new tab) summarizes the main principles of inclusive writing, provides examples of practical techniques and contains a list of resources to help you write inclusively. You can use the reference sheet online or download it to your computer for use offline. Resources 8) The Inclusionary is one of many online resources that accompany the Guidelines. The Inclusionary (opens in new tab) is a very useful collection of inclusive solutions to gendered words. You can search in the index or by keyword. Here’s an example from the Inclusionary: Examples and solutions - Inclusive Writing Examples and solutions Gendered sentence Inclusive solutions A businesswoman or businessman needs strong leadership skills. A business person needs strong leadership skills. A business executive needs strong leadership skills. A business leader needs strong leadership skills. An entrepreneur needs strong leadership skills. Businessmen will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. Business people will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. Business leaders will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. Entrepreneurs will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. The business community will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. The business world will have to pay closer attention to supply chain issues. 9) In addition to the Guidelines, several resources on respectful and inclusive vocabulary can be used. A glossary (opens in new tab) defines terms used in the Guidelines and includes references to related articles. The Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology (opens in new tab) lists terms related to equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion, along with usage notes. The Gender-inclusive writing (opens in new tab) section in the Collection of Canadian language resources features a host of guides, glossaries and other resources from different Canadian organizations. The Our Languages blog has some posts about inclusive writing, including A brief guide to inclusive writing resources (opens in new tab). Writing Tips Plus includes information on topics, such as gender-inclusive nouns (opens in new tab). Evolution 10) The Guidelines will continue to be updated. Both language and the realities that language describes are constantly evolving. Only time will tell which terms or techniques will be adopted into common usage. Adapted by Amanda Kenney, Language Portal of CanadaSource: Our Languages blog (posts from our contributors)
Number of views: 572
Gender-inclusive writing: A unifying force
An English blog post about the Government of Canada’s efforts to support inclusive writing.Gender – and specifically, gender inclusivity – are topics that have been very much in the news in recent decades. Gender-diverse individuals and groups around the world have been voicing concerns about various issues, including language that excludes them. So what’s being done to address these concerns? In Canada, the federal government is committed to supporting inclusivity in written documents within the public service. As a result, the Translation Bureau at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has developed and published tools to encourage gender-inclusive writing. Making strides in gender-inclusive writing In 2017, the Translation Bureau published two bilingual resources to help the federal public service write inclusively: a linguistic recommendation on gender-inclusive correspondence and the Gender and Sexual Diversity Glossary (opens in new tab). In 2021, in response to the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service (opens in new tab), several federal organizations, including the Translation Bureau, co-developed the Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology (opens in new tab). That same year, in an effort to support the Government of Canada’s diversity and inclusion priorities, representatives from over 35 federal, provincial and territorial organizations came together to form an interdepartmental working group co-chaired by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Canadian Heritage and PSPC. The group’s mandate? To develop guidelines for producing texts free of discrimination on the basis of gender or any other identity factor. As a result, in the fall of 2022, the Translation Bureau published the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing (opens in new tab) and the Inclusionary (opens in new tab), a collection of gender-inclusive solutions for gendered terms, along with their French counterparts, the Lignes directrices sur l’écriture inclusive (opens in new tab) and the Inclusionnaire (opens in new tab). Overcoming challenges in developing inclusive writing guidelines The working group’s first challenge was to consolidate resources from various organizations. The group needed to expand on the work already done in order to produce a unified set of guidelines with a wide range of practical solutions for different contexts. Another concern was to ensure that the guidelines and resources were accessible not only to public servants but also to interested organizations and individuals outside the government. The solution was to house the resources on the Language Portal of Canada, a public-facing website managed by the Translation Bureau. It was also critical to ensure that the guidelines and resources reflected the perspectives and realities of gender-diverse individuals. To that end, members of gender-diverse communities were called upon to serve as consultants and to assist in drafting content. In addition, rounds of consultations were held with equity, diversity and inclusion networks; language and communications specialists; and organizations with a special interest in inclusive writing. Over 2000 comments were received in English and French. The content was then revised in light of this feedback. Lastly, a particular challenge involved finding viable solutions for French, a language in which gender is far more visible than in English. Despite a common belief that gender-inclusive writing is impossible in French, the French guidelines provide several effective techniques for achieving a gender-inclusive text. In conclusion, it should be noted that the Translation Bureau’s gender-inclusive writing guidelines and resources provide suggestions on how to address the issues involved in writing inclusive content; they don’t provide answers that can be automatically applied in all contexts. Writers must therefore carefully discern which solutions should be applied depending on the context, the target audience and the nature of their text. Note: This post was originally published in Multilingual magazine.Source: Our Languages blog (posts from our contributors)
Number of views: 494
Yes, you can be gender-inclusive and use plain language!
An English blog post about how to write for diverse audiences, using plain language and inclusive writing principlesEarly in my career, I taught in an adult literacy centre. I still remember one encounter that particularly struck me: one with an elderly, somewhat shy man. On his first visit to the centre, he whispered to me that he hadn't learned to read and write when he was young. I showed him letters on a piece of cardstock, and he was able to name them. I showed him combinations of letters, and he could pronounce them. I asked him to read words and then short sentences, and he succeeded. “You can read!” I said proudly. He paused, smiled, and replied, “Maybe… but I don't understand.” This man is far from the only one in this situation: 48% of adults in Canada—that’s almost half the population—have a reading level no higher than Grade 8, which corresponds to the second year of high school in Quebec. Think about it: when our message is too complicated, it’s difficult for nearly half our population to understand what we’re trying to say. We exclude a very large segment of society, and our democracy suffers as a result. Similarly, the words and phrases we choose can create a sense of exclusion when it comes to gender. For example, as the mother of a transgender teenager, I see the extent to which the use of the pronoun “she” brings my daughter profound joy every day, the feeling that she can be herself. My amazing daughter was, and continues to be, the inspiration behind my collaboration with the Interdepartmental Working Group on Inclusive Writing, which I co-chaired. The collaborative efforts of the Working Group, which included over 35 federal, provincial and territorial departments and organizations, culminated in the creation of the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing in the fall of 2022. Recently, I was fortunate to meet Chris Coulter, Senior Communications Advisor at Transport Canada, and Asha St-Hilaire, Senior Strategic Communications Advisor at Shared Services Canada. Chris and Asha are active members of the Plain Language Community of Practice. Together, we worked to dispel a myth! Yes, you can be gender-inclusive and apply plain language principles in your writing. And here are five tips to help you do just that! 1. Use common words, not jargon Don’t you just love it when presenters use acronyms and technical words that hardly anyone understands? Frustrating, right? Imagine what it might be like for the general population reading, watching, or listening to overly complicated information. Enough said! However, when it comes to gender identities, it might be difficult to avoid abbreviations such as “2SLGBTQIA+” or new words. While gender diversity is not new, the expression of these diverse identities is still in its early stages. New words and acronyms have emerged to name these identities, and they’ll likely continue to evolve over time. Why not use the opportunity to educate people by defining acronyms and explaining these new words? The word “Internet” didn’t exist when I started my career. Today, we all know its meaning and use it daily. The more we talk about gender identities, using the right words, the more we become accustomed to them. As we become more and more used to seeing, hearing, and using these words, the more our understanding of them grows. 2. Address your reader directly Addressing the reader is an effective plain language and gender-inclusive technique we often use in government communications. “You” is a pronoun that includes all genders and, in most cases, reduces the length of your sentences. It helps the audience see themselves in the text and relate to what you’re saying. Here’s a quick example: instead of writing “The tenant must keep his apartment clean and tidy,” address the reader and write “You must keep your apartment clean and tidy.” 3. Use the active voice Sentences written in the active voice are usually clearer and more effective than sentences written in the passive voice. The passive voice makes your reader work too hard to understand who is doing what. In the active voice, the subject is the doer of the action: for example, “I love gender-inclusive writing.” That doesn’t mean we should always avoid the passive voice. The passive voice can come in handy as a gender-inclusive technique. For example, instead of writing “The supervisor must give feedback to his employees monthly,” you could use the passive and write “Supervisors’ feedback must be given to employees monthly.” However, the sentence isn’t as easy to understand as in the active voice. There are plenty of gender-inclusive techniques that can help you avoid the passive voice. In the example above, we could have written the following: “Supervisors must give their employees feedback monthly.” You just need to pluralize the noun. Simple, isn’t it? 4. Use shorter words and sentences, and omit unnecessary words Long words and long sentences make information more difficult to read and remember. As government communicators, no doubt you’ve read plenty of long sentences that are difficult to understand and made you furrow your brow. Cut long sentences and create short sentences. Simplify the terminology by using more common synonyms. Omitting unnecessary words is another useful technique. In the example we used in the section on the active voice, we could easily delete the pronoun: “Supervisors must give employees feedback monthly.” The shorter a sentence, the easier it is to read. 5. Choose verbs over nouns, and use lists Nothing’s better than a simple sentence that uses verbs instead of a long sentence with too many nouns, don’t you agree? Here’s an example of a long sentence: ECC is as efficient as it can be within the environment it works in and is constantly working on improvements, automation, and efficiencies. And here’s the plain language version that also uses a list: Our ECC team is as efficient as they can be within their current environment. They always look for ways to: be more efficient improve service find automated solutions Using the imperative is an extremely efficient trick when you want to avoid using a gender-specific pronoun. Instead of writing “The visitor should always keep his dog on leash,” you could write “Always keep your dog on leash.” This technique works especially well when you make a request or give an instruction, an order, or a warning. In conclusion, yes, you can be gender-inclusive and use plain language simultaneously. And these are just a few of the many techniques that can help you. Want to learn more? Check out the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing (opens in new tab) and the Inclusionary (opens in new tab) on the Language Portal of Canada.Source: Our Languages blog (posts from our contributors)
Number of views: 175
madam (noun): gender-inclusive solutions
Gender-inclusive alternatives to madam (noun).Source: Inclusionary (collection of gender-inclusive solutions) – Writing Tips Plus
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woman of action (noun phrase): gender-inclusive solutions
Gender-inclusive alternatives to woman of action (noun phrase).Source: Inclusionary (collection of gender-inclusive solutions) – Writing Tips Plus
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