The Inclusive Language Field Guide

💡 “Now that we are moving to be in greater harmony with reality, we are using language in some new ways so we can do a better job of reflecting the world around us.”

📖 Last month, I shared a quote from Suzanne Wertheim, and then, I delved into her book “The Inclusive Language Field Guide”.

🔎 Instead of simply providing lists of permitted and forbidden words, she offers a framework based on 6 principles:

1. Reflect reality.
2. Show respect.
3. Draw people in.
4. Incorporate other perspectives.
5. Prevent erasure.
6. Recognize pain points.

Some of the things I loved the most about the book:

➡ She says that inclusive language is the “Twenty-first-century etiquette”, it’s about respect and it’s necessary to build healthy relationships with others

➡ She gives clear and interesting examples that reflect diverse experiences (race, gender, disability, etc.)

➡ She confirms that yes, it’s difficult to adapt when we are used to one way of communicating

➡ And she insists on the fact that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you acknowledge them and act to fix them and not make them again

➡ She asked sensitivity readers to help her on parts where she talks about experiences she doesn’t live herself (like non-binary gender)

🎁 Bonus quote: “Do I have an opinion about pronouns and inclusive language? Please.”

❓ How do you actively incorporate inclusive language into your English communication?