Inclusive language
There are 5 inclusive language principles to follow.
Last updated
There are 5 inclusive language principles to follow.
Last updated
Put People First. Address the individual first and put them ahead of their characteristics. A “people-first” language keeps the individual as the most essential element; there is more to each of us than our descriptors.
Avoid Idioms, Jargon and Acronyms. Jargon and acronyms can exclude people who may not have specialized knowledge of a particular subject and this can limit effective communication. Only use acronyms after the full term has been expressed or clearly explained.
Avoid Phrases That Suggest Victimhood or Deficit. For example, “afflicted by,” “confined to a wheelchair”, “at-risk or needy”, “ minorities.” Instead use language that empowers, e.g. “People with disabilities” vs “the disabled”, “historically resilient” or “historically underrepresented” or “racially minoritized” (as termed by Dr. Tamara Stevenson of Westminster College) vs “minorities.”
Use Inclusive Terms. Try to make your language and your message as inclusive as possible. For example, when speaking to an audience, make sure your speech relates to all your listeners, honors identities, and uses gender-inclusive language.
If Unsure, Ask. Strive to include language that reflects peoples’ authentic selves.
Source:
The acronym is widely used by people within these communities but is not as well known outside of them. Spell out the full term; use AAPI only in direct quotations and explain the term.
Both American Indians and Native Americans are acceptable terms in general references for those in the U.S. when referring to two or more people of different tribal affiliations.
For individuals, use the name of the tribe whenever possible. Examples of correct usage include:
He is a Navajo commissioner.
She is a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe.
He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Some tribes and tribal nations use member; others use citizen. If in doubt, use citizen. Indian is used to describe the peoples and cultures of the South Asian nation of India. Do not use the term as a shorthand for American Indians.
Avoid words that can be disparaging and offensive, such as:
Wampum
Warpath
Powwow
Teepee
Brave
Squaw
First Nation is the preferred term for native tribes in Canada.
Do not hyphenate this term. Asian American is acceptable for an American of Asian descent. When possible, refer to a person's country of origin or follow the person's preference. For example: Filipino American or Indian American.
Do not describe Pacific Islanders as Asian Americans, Asians or of Asian descent. Avoid using Asian as shorthand for Asian American when possible.
A term referring to “Black and/or Indigenous People of Color.” While “POC” or People of Color is often used as well, BIPOC explicitly leads with Black and Indigenous identities, which helps to counter anti-Black racism and invisibilization of Native communities.
Use the capitalized term as an adjective in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense: Black people, Black culture, Black literature, Black studies, Black colleges.
African American is also acceptable for those in the U.S. The terms are not necessarily interchangeable. Americans of Caribbean heritage, for example, generally refer to themselves as Caribbean American. Follow an individual's preference if known, and be specific when possible and relevant. For example:
Minneapolis has a large Somali American population because of refugee resettlement. The author is Senegalese American.
Use of the capitalized Black recognizes that language has evolved, along with the common understanding that especially in the United States, the term reflects a shared identity and culture rather than a skin color alone.
Avoid this term and instead use a specific identifier for the group. For example, rather than “Black and Brown residents,” use “Black and Latino residents” if that is the case.
first-year student instead of freshman
chair instead of chairman
alumna, alumnus, alumni, alumnae
Capitalize this term used to refer to original inhabitants of a place. For example:
Aboriginal leaders welcomed a new era of Indigenous relations in Australia. Bolivia's Indigenous peoples represent some 62% of the population.
. People of color? Latinx or Hispanic? A Jew or Jewish? African-American or black or Black? The language of diversity is always changing and determining the best way to refer to certain people or populations (when the context requires you to do so) requires sensitivity. This is a good guideline for writing about people of different religions, ethnicity, health status, etc. produced by professional journalists.