Language to avoid and inclusive alternatives - A Humane Summary on Oxfam's New Guide (Article 1/4)
A few days ago, Oxfam presented its #InclusiveLanguageGuide, and Agostina Lufrano (she/ella) , Humane Language Services 's Project Manager, compiled a summary that concentrates on language and the expressions to be avoided, with their inclusive alternatives.
The language guide is divided into thematic sections and is based on a set of #FeministPrinciplesForLanguageUse, namely:
??? #Diversity: Avoid?making sweeping statements that categorize people or communities according to characteristics defined by others.
??? #PowerSharing: Use language to challenge and shift perceptions. Avoid using language that reinforces the norms or power structures that drive poverty and suffering.
??? #Safety: Ensure that our language does not put people at risk or cause harm.
????#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs: Be informed by how people wish to be referred to,?recognizing that they may not describe themselves in homogenous ways.
??? #CareAndSolidarity: Use straightforward language;?avoid jargon that obscures or alienates.
??? #InclusionAndBelonging:?Be inclusive through our use of language
??? #PersonalIsPolitical:?Be courageous and clear in naming structural oppressions and who is affected by them.
?Readers are warned that the comfort of the status quo must be disrupted in order to dismantle oppressive structures and create pathways to equality. However,?there is a distinction between being uncomfortable and being unsafe; inequality in power is at the heart of this difference.
Today, we bring some of the language to be avoided, and its inclusive alternatives, in the first Thematic Section:?
One in six people in low-income countries live with a disability. People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and to experience other forms of discrimination and violence than non-disabled people, as well as more likely to face difficulties in accessing education and employment. This first section includes words informed by people with disabilities and related specialist organizations. Oxfam’s aim is to provide useful guidance on how to write about disability in a way that is positive and accurate. As Mark Twain said, “The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”?
We live in an ableist society, i.e., one that treats non-disabled individuals as the standard of ‘normal living’, thus resulting in public and private places and services, education, and social work that are built to serve only non-disabled people.
Instead of
? Is afflicted with, suffers from, is a victim of
Say
? Is affected by
???? This alternative does not define a person by a health issue and avoids negative connotations.
Instead of
? Wheelchair-bound, crippled
Say
? Mobility impaired, person with a mobility/physical impairment
???? These are technically accurate phrases that avoid negative connotations.
Instead of
? Normal, healthy, able-bodied
Say
? Non-disabled
???? The latter is the factual and neutral term.
Instead of
? AIDS victim
Say
? People living with HIV, people living with aids, person living with a chronic health condition
???? These do not define a person by a health issue and avoid negative connotations.
Instead of
? The elderly, seniors, youth
Say
? People over/under x, elderly people, older people, elders, young people
???? To afford respect and dignity, and avoid phrases that are homogenizing or patronizing.
Instead of
? People with special needs
Say
? People who have particular requirements, people who require specific accommodations
???? Many people consider the term ‘special needs’ offensive because of the social stigma associated with this phrase.
Instead of
? The disabled, disabled people, the handicapped
Say
? People with a disability/disabilities
???? Places the emphasis on the individual. Depending on the place/community/person, ‘people who are disabled’ and ‘people who are differently-abled’ are also acceptable terms.
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Instead of
? deaf
Say
? People with hearing impairment, hard of hearing person, deaf person
???? The word ‘deaf’ describes anyone who has a severe hearing problem. Sometimes ‘Deaf’ is capitalized to refer to people who have been deaf their whole lives, and who use sign language as a first language. The Deaf community is strong and has a culture and sense of identity.
Instead of
? Mental, mental patient, psychotic, OCD, manic depressive
Say
? People living with mental health issues
???? Avoid words and phrases that imply or exacerbate stigmatization.
Instead of
? The blind
Say
? People with visual impairment, visually impaired person, blind person, blind people
???? Do not define a person by a health issue, and avoid negative connotations and homogenization.
Instead of
? Standing with
Say
? In solidarity with
???? Avoids potentially alienating people who are unable to stand.
Instead of
? Dwarf
Say
? Person with short stature, person with restricted growth
???? The preferred terms are considered to be respectful.
Instead of
? Committed suicide, unsuccessful suicide
Say
? Took their own life, ended their own life, death by suicide, completed suicide, attempted suicide
???? “Committed suicide” derives from this act historically being criminalized and therefore implies wrongdoing.
Additional materials
?? Disability Language Style Guide by the National Center on Disability and Journalism (available in English, Spanish, Italian, and Romanian)
https://ncdj.org/style-guide/
?? The Global Disability Summit 2018
?? Prevention of violence against women and children regional action plan capacity building project: Women with disabilities by Women with Disabilities Victoria
?? Respectful Disability Language: Here’s What’s Up! by National Youth Leadership Network
?? Neurodivergent, neurodiversity and neurotypical: a guide to the terms by The Brain Charity
https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/neurodivergent-neurodiversity-neurotypical-explained/
?? Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers by Kristen Bottema-Beutel
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.0014
?? Making web images accessible to people who are blind
?? What is the difference between deaf and Deaf? by SignHealth.
https://signhealth.org.uk/resources/learn-about-deafness/deaf-or-deaf/
?? How to talk about disability issues on the Internet by S.E.Smith
Rewired
1 年This is a completely ridiculous and offensive document.
Spanish Translator, Proofreader, and Copy Editor Specialized in Gender Sensitive Language, and Human Rights | Managing Director at Humane Language Services | Empathic Communication Advocate
1 年I wasn't aware of it either, Belu! I totally agree with you on the need of multidisciplinary teams ?.
Traductora y editora | Inglés<>espa?ol | Género y políticas | SDSR y endometriosis | Maestranda en Género, Sociedad y Políticas
1 年Awesome job! I wasn't aware of the criminal connotation of "commit suicide," but it makes perfect sense. I guess I never think about it and that's another reason why you need multidisciplinary teams—and a lot of empathy—when working on inclusiveness.