Putting the person first
When we want to use inclusive language, we have to set aside stereotypes and terms that reduce or diminish others to a preconceived idea of who they are. We have to focus on addressing others as individuals, and realise that no one can be defined and understood simply by ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or having a disability. Consider the following questions:
Is there a difference between saying 'they are disabled', and 'they have a disability'?
Is there a difference between saying 'she is wheelchair bound' and saying 'she uses a wheelchair'?
Is there a difference between saying 'she is autistic' and saying 'she is a person with autism'?
Is there a difference between saying 'those who are gay' and saying 'those among us who are gay'?
Suggested answers
Having a disability does not define who someone is, but when we say 'they are disabled' we suggest that this is all they are.
When we say that someone is 'wheelchair bound' or 'chained to a wheelchair' we are painting the person as a victim, someone to feel sorry for. A wheelchair is a tool in the same way that glasses, crutches, or a hearing aid is a tool. We would not say that someone is 'glasses bound', or 'chained to a hearing aid'.
When we say 'she is autistic' we emphasise the autism as a defining trait of the person. When we say 'she is a person with autism' we emphasise that autism is not the defining characteristic of the person.
When we say 'people who are gay' we are creating distance. We are creating a gap between us and them. When we use the phrase 'those among us who are gay' we avoid creating this distance.
Putting the person first also means accepting that it is not up to us to define what is acceptable or unacceptable to say. For example, there is research that suggests that people with autism prefer to be called 'autistic', while 'person with autism' is preferred by doctors and health professionals.
Gender-neutral language
Gender-neutral language is language that does not assume that one specific gender is dominant or normal. The purpose of gender-neutral language is to avoid vocabulary that can be seen as discriminatory, biased, or demeaning. Progress towards gender neutral language has been ongoing for a long time. We no longer hear a police officer referred to as a policeman, or a nurse referred to as a sister.
The move towards more gender inclusive language began with feminism. As women made their way into more and more professions, they demanded that the terms used and associated with those professions be changed to reflect that women could also hold these jobs. Becoming a fireman, a chairman, a congressman, a businessman, a cameraman, a mailman, or a salesman might be difficult to picture for a girl looking for a path in life. Replacing these terms with gender neutral terms makes it easier for anyone to choose the profession they want.
Heteronormative language
In the past, language has tended to be heteronormative. This is language that assumes that everyone identifies as either male or female, and that people only have relationships with members of the opposite sex. As the acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community has grown, there has been a move towards making language less heteronormative.
An example of heteronormative language that we often encounter is when we get an official form that asks us to tick a box to say if we are male or female.
Another example is starting a letter to someone we don't know in English. We can say 'Dear Mr/Ms', or 'Dear Sir', but there is no alternative that doesn't assume that our reader identifies as one of the two genders. A third alternative is 'To Whom it May Concern', but that seems less friendly.
Using 'they' as a singular pronoun
'They' was first used as a singular pronoun in 1375. In the mid-1800s grammarians began to regard it as an error, and a rule was introduced that said that if the gender of the person was unknown, the pronoun 'he' should be used. In the 1970s, people started to voice the opinion that this practice was sexist, and 'he/she' began to be used. In oral language, 'they' continued to be used as a singular pronoun throughout this period.
With increased awareness of the many gender identities that exist, 'he/she' began to feel reductive. In Scandinavia, the new pronoun 'hen' was introduced to create more inclusive language. In English, the use of the pronoun 'they' is encouraged, in writing as well as speech.
Using a plural pronoun to indicate an individual, may make us unsure whether the verb form should also be singular. However, the rules are that 'they' used to mean one person, requires plural form of the verb so it is 'they are' rather than 'they is'.
Race, ethnicity, and national origin
When writing about race, ethnicity, or national origin, first consider if it is relevant and necessary to include the information.
Consider the difference between these two sentences. What do you think is the message the writer wishes to convey?
A Somali student was arrested for being drunk and disorderly on campus.
A student was arrested for being drunk and disorderly on campus.
Suggested answer
The first sentence draws attention to the student's nationality, and implies that it was a factor in what happened.
The second sentence simply states that a student was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
It is especially important to be sensitive when writing about race, because race is a social construct, and many may not identify with your perception of race. When writing about race, ethnicity, or national origin, focus on seeing the person.
It is better to say that someone is a Black person, rather than that someone is Black. Similarly, when talking about a group, it is better to say for example Black citizens, rather than Blacks. Note that the word 'black' should be capitalised when it refers to race.
Should the word 'white' be capitalised when referring to race?
Capitalising the word 'Black' when referencing race is a recent standard. Several major media outlets in the United States began using it in 2020.
While there is widespread agreement that Black should be capitalised, there is still some controversy over whether the word 'white' should be capitalised when referring to race.
As of 2021, the APA style guide states that both words should be capitalised when referring to race, while others, such as the highly influential media organisation Associated Press, have decided against capitalising the word.
Some argue that in the United States, 'Black' describes a group of people who share an experience and who cannot trace their heritage to one specific country, therefore 'Black' should be capitalised to signal identity. It is argued that most white Americans can trace their heritage back to a specific country, and that the word 'white' is therefore simply descriptive of skin colour. Others argue that not capitalising the word white signals that being white is seen as neutral and standard. There are also those that argue that capitalising 'white' creates an association with racism and white supremacy.
Many academic institutions use the APA standard, but the media also plays an important role in defining language usage. For now, it seems to be up to the individual to decide whether they want to capitalise the word 'white' when referring to race or not.
Learn more:
Link to APA's website: style guide for language relating to racial and ethnic identity.
Use specific nationalities rather than continents. If someone is Japanese, say that they are Japanese or from Japan, rather than that they are Asian, or from Asia. If we want to talk about a group from different Asian countries, use for example Asian people, rather than just Asians.
We will also often come across terms that groups perceive as offensive, for example 'Indian' for 'Native Americans', or 'coloured people' for 'people of colour'. In those instances it is up to each of us to gain awareness and avoid those terms.
Is it possible to use language that includes everyone?
Language is not a constant, it changes over time and with use. It can be hard to keep up with those changes, or to be aware of all the different ways that exclusion occurs.
What we should do, is keep an open mind. Why are these changes happening? What was wrong with the way it was before? If we become aware that the words and phrases we use cause pain for other people, should we not be willing to change?
Discuss:
Work in a group.
Do you think inclusive language is important?
Is it possible to use language that includes everyone?
Why does the way we use language change over time?
Is there any of information in this article that you think is incorrect or incomplete? – What would you change and why?
Do you think young people are good at using inclusive language?
Sources:
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Autism Research, "“Autistic person” or “person with autism”: Is one more correct?" Link to article on Center for Autism Research's website.
Daniszewski, J, "Why we will lowercase white". AP. Link to blog entry on Associated Press's website.
Oxford English Dictionary, "A brief history of singular ‘they’". Link to the Oxford English Dictionary: article about the history of using 'they' as a singular pronoun.
University Writing Center, "Inclusive Language". Link to University Writing Center's website: resource about inclusive language that promotes the principle of putting the person first.
Swan, M., Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press, 2016.
APA Style, "Singular 'they'". Link to the APA Style website, article about the use of they as a singular pronoun.
APA style, "Racial and Ethnic Identity". Link to the APA style website, article about language used when describing racial and ethnic identity.