Inclusive Language

A ground-breaking study found glaring disparities in the language that healthcare professionals use when recording patient interactions, which could have an impact on the caliber of care that minority groups receive. Titled “Examining Linguistic Differences in Electronic Health Records for Diverse…

There are many reasons why people around the globe seek to rebuild their lives in a different country. Some people leave home to get a job or an education. Others are forced to flee persecution or human rights violations such as torture. Millions flee from armed conflicts or other crises or…

Inclusive language is defined as language that "acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to difference and promotes equal opportunity." While language has the power to create bonds and understanding, it often has been used to define differences that marginalize,…

Now, folks use the term “underrepresented” instead. It may feel like the safest option among the minefield of language and politics we all traverse, but I’d argue the term — for all its seeming inoffensiveness — is not just deeply harmful, it’s inaccurate. As an equity-informed brand…

Hispanic? Latino/a/e/x? The terms have been used interchangeably to describe people with roots in Spain or Latin America. The lumping of the terms, specifically Hispanic, has been used to refer to a person from Spain, Chile, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea. But the ambiguous nature blurs…

Successful business relies on one thing—communication. We communicate with our employees, customers, suppliers and more. Using inclusive language means consciously working to find ways to name, honor, and value experiences and identities. By learning to speak to diverse audiences, you can…

Using exclusionary language isn’t just about offending others; research has made its harmful effects clear. To create a truly inclusive culture, it’s critical that you take a hard look at how people in all areas of your company are using language. The authors present four ways you as…

These inclusive language guidelines are written for those working to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in the spaces that they learn, teach, work, or conduct research. This includes, but is not limited to, APA staff, volunteer leaders, members, students, affiliated organizations, and EDI…

A go-to guide for the meaning of "Latinx." While the difference between "Latinx" and "Hispanic" largely comes down to how you self-identify (more on that, below), "Latinx" has typically been adopted among people who are looking for a more inclusive and…

While these commitments are critical, the hard work of building inclusive cultures comes down to the conversations happening every day in boardrooms, in virtual team meetings, and in one-on-one interactions. The language we use when discussing our DEI efforts matter. The words and phrases we use…

Referring to people as the vulnerable, the poor, the homeless, drug addicts, mentally ill, disabled, etc., is common in policy documents, media and our own communications. Unlike derogatory terms or slurs, these words are not meant to be intentionally harmful. More often than not they are used out…

In public health, dear readers, talking about “vulnerable” communities, populations, or individuals is standard fare. We’ve all said it many times when referring to communities we’re prioritizing with our communications or programs. But this week, we wanted to make a case for retiring it from our…

Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably though they actually mean two different things. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations, while Latino refers to people who are from or descended from people…

As stated in the first edition, the guide is written to raise awareness, direct learning, and support the use of culturally sensitive terms and phrases that center the voices and perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized or stereotyped. The guide also explains the origins of…

The OHSU Inclusive Language Guide is intended as an evolving tool to help OHSU members learn about and use inclusive language in institutional communications, patient care (including chart notes), instruction and presentations around descriptors of: • Race and ethnicity • Immigration…

There is no “one size fits all” language when it comes to talking about race.  This article discusses the debate over the words we use when we talk about the people who are disproportionately the victims of police brutality. When do we use the phrase “people of color”; when do we say “BIPOC,”…

We use language to categorize groups, often failing to effectively — linguistically — describe the people we’re referring to in a single word. People contain multitudes. No one phrase is truly adequate to represent millions of people, especially when so many distinct cultures are…

Guide provides examples of better ways to communicate.  Writing in plain English means using simpler, more direct language. 

Guide provides examples of better ways to communicate.  Writing in plain English means using simpler, more direct language. 

From the introduction: Developing a shared language for thoughtful discussion about equity is critical for all of our work. This glossary of key terms includes many words and concepts that are foundational and relevant to CSSP's work. This is a living document. Just as our work has evolved…

This style guide is intended to provide guidelines for ways that we can employ inclusive language and integrate a racial equity lens in our writing. However, this document is not intended to be an end-all-be-all; rather, it is a place to start thinking about the ways we write.   While this…

Blog post that speaks to how hate crime and hate speech are related, but not identical topics.

The word migrant is defined in Oxford English Dictionary as "one who moves, either temporarily or permanently, from one place, area, or country of residence to another". It is used as a neutral term by many media organisations - including the BBC - but there has…

Race Forward’s Race Reporting Guide aims to provide critical support for the use of responsible language and story framing that reflects ethical and rigorous journalistic standards and affirms the dignity and human rights of people of all races. This is not meant to be comprehensive,…

There has been an ongoing controversy whether hyphenated identities are considered woefully inadequate to truly encapsulate a multicultural UK, where different cultures do live and work together in some form of harmony, with about 400 languages spoken in London. There is also an…

The Language Project serves three purposes. First, through a series of powerful pieces by and about people with intimate experience with incarceration, we show the human impact of the words we choose. Second, our guide, “What Words We Use — and Avoid — When Covering People and Incarceration,” makes…