Inclusive Language Toolkit

Toolkit collated by Hannah Wilson

What Is Inclusive Language?

Inclusive language is communication that proactively uses words, phrases and expressions that are welcoming. Where possible, inclusive language avoids assumptions that may exclude people. The exclusion may be inadvertent but it has a negative impact on people.

What Is Non-Inclusive Language?

Derogatory language is any words or terms that treat people unfairly, insults or excludes a person or group of persons.

What Is an Example of Inclusive Language?

There is a guide on “Inclusive Language” from Seattle University Graduate Writing Center here which shows the subtle changes we can make to our language to be more consciously inclusive of who we are addressing and referring to.

Read

Why Is Inclusive Language in the Workplace Important?

It reinforces diversity and inclusion as core values and central to the company culture
It shows that people are thinking about the impact of their language and behavior on others, creating a human-centric workplace that puts people first
It sets the stage for implementation of other inclusive practices
It actively discourages exclusionary language and conduct

How Can We Consciously Model Inclusive Language?

Ask your students what their pronouns are and follow-up by using the correct ones identified by your students.

Use language that is truly generic e.g. when addressing mixed gender groups: “Hey folks/all/everyone” instead of “Hey guys.” Use spouse/significant other instead of husband/wife (particularly if you do not know someone’s sexual orientation). Referring to the winter/holiday break instead of Christmas Break. Mentioning the house of worship instead of church.

How Can We Challenge Derogatory Language?

It is hard to make changes to language in isolation so we recommend that this done at a team-level, this could be a department, but even better if institution-wide:

Decide which terms and phrases are acceptable to you as a staff body
Consult with your student body and include your parents/ carers
Finalise your decision-making around the language you want to collectively challenge and change
Communicate your decision to all stakeholders

The Diverse Educators Inclusive Language Toolkit

We are collating a growing bank of resources to help you become more conscious in the language you use, more confident in the language you challenge and more competent in how to create momentum in this area of cultural and linguistic change. Here are some questions to reflect on:

How is language making people feel included/excluded in your setting?
What derogatory language are you hearing?
How is this derogatory language enforcing harmful stereotypes?
How consistently is this derogatory language being challenged?
How is this derogatory language impacting the levels of belonging and safety for different groups in your setting?
What strategies are currently being used to address the non-inclusive language?
Which stakeholder groups are you working with to change the language to make it more inclusive?