Inclusive Language

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

Is that really true? We think not.

As communicators, we labor, we deliberate, and sometimes we have to debate with others the words we use–from websites, to social media posts, to corporate decks, to employee emails… the list goes on.

Words matter.

Here are a few lightbulb moments we’ve had recently and would like to ask you to consider as well:

Gendered language: Hey guys. Chairman of the board. Manpower.

Violence and gun-centered turns of phrase and idioms: Shoot you an email. Kill two birds with one stone. I’ll die on this hill. Beat a dead horse. More than one way to skin a cat.

Racially or ethnically biased language: Lowest on the totem pole. Gypped. Grandfathered in.

When taken all together like that, it’s hard not to cringe. As communicators, especially practitioners in the human health space, we have a responsibility to weigh whether these are truly the most appropriate ways to convey our message.

Our job to translate complex science is hard enough. Let’s say what we mean the rest of the time.

We’re dropping a few resource links for you all, but please do share what other words or phrases have you started to think twice about using? And on the flip side, what are examples of inclusive language that have emerged in your lingo?