Inclusive language Archives

Use of acronyms

Best practices here vary, but by examining your intention behind using an acronym, you might decide instead to be more specific or intersectional. For example, if you’re discussing an issue that specifically impacts Black women, you can say so instead of defaulting to the broader term “BIPOC”. In addition, acronyms are a form of jargon (see Jargon), and using them can create an in-group/out-group dynamic.

Citation: Center for Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement. (2021) CSCCE Glossary: Inclusive Language in Community Building. Woodley, Pratt, Bakker, Bertipaglia, Dow, El Zein, Kuwana, Lower, Roca, and Santistevan doi: 10.5281/zenodo.5718783

Silo

A category or “box” we put ourselves or others into based on professional or personal identity (e.g., researcher, journalist, expert, nonexpert). Silos can be useful for defining the boundaries or scope for participants in a community space; however, they can be problematic when they create barriers to the sharing of knowledge, for example, collaboration across scientific disciplines. Bridging between silos is important in knowledge work (e.g., communities of practice are one mechanism for doing this). See also Jargon.

Silencing

The process by which voices can be excluded from a conversation. Activist and writer Rebecca Solnit (in her essay Cassandra Among the Creeps) describes three concentric circles of silencing: from self-editing and fear of speaking out, to threats intended to silence, to the discrediting of a shared story and its narrator. A dominant culture or set of group dynamics can result in silencing, without any individual intending to do so. See also Dominant Voice /Dominant Story and Etiquette.

Sexist language

Language that unnecessarily identifies gender with the subject being discussed, particularly that which reinforces gendered stereotypes about a title or role. Best practices involve using gender-neutral language whenever possible (examples include using “staffed” instead of “manned,” “humankind” instead of “mankind,” or the gender-neutral pronoun “they” instead of defaulting to “he/she” when a person or group’s gender is unspecified).

Restorative approaches

Often violations of community participation guidelines might be unintentional or based on gaps in awareness (e.g., about how to use more inclusive language or how specific behaviors can exclude others). A restorative approach to addressing the harm caused by these violations emphasizes the importance of seeking to learn, repair, and grow where possible, rather than resorting to punitive measures as the default. (Note, some violations will still need to be addressed punitively.)

Example: Scheduling a private conversation with a community member after they use ableist language in the forum to explain why their word choice is problematic and seek a remedy.

May overlap with repair.

Reflection

Regular reflection as an individual and as a community is important both to note progress made but also where improvements might still be needed or have emerged. This practice includes examining intrinsic bias. Note the emphasis on an ongoing process of learning and improvement rather than a final moment when all the work is done.

Use of pronouns

Asking people to share pronouns should be framed as an invitation rather than a requirement, and never as “preferred pronouns.” It’s important to recognize that while you might feel comfortable and safe sharing your pronouns, others in the community might not. Just as you would never assume someone’s name before meeting them, you should also not assume their pronouns.

Additional reading:

Multimodal programming

The importance of providing a range of inclusive, accessible programming options that support community members in engaging in a way that matches their current availability, preferences for engaging, and accessibility needs. Community members’ changing modes of engagement can be influenced by time, interest, and other things happening in their lives. (See CSCCE’s Community Participation Model)

Example: When sharing an invitation to a public webinar, you might also offer the information that a recording will be made available by a specific date for those who are unable to attend.

Lived experience

This phrase exists to explain how someone gained their knowledge. For example, someone may know about institutionalized discrimination because they themselves were a victim (a lived experience) or because they read about it in the local newspaper. As a community manager, it is important to recognize the difference between these ways of knowing and the impact they have upon the knower.

Jargon

Language that is specific to a discipline or other in-group. Often jargon arises organically, and its original intention is to streamline communication between members of a group. It can also offer members of the in-group a sense of belonging; however, an overreliance on jargon can alienate newcomers. When facilitating discussions or editing text, be sure to define the first instance of jargon.