Inclusive language is one of the easiest ways to create a welcoming environment and foster genuine rapport. Altering the way we speak improves communication and collaboration, as it can build trust within communities. This includes changes such as gender-neutrality or person-first language that focuses on the person or community rather than identities. Although inclusive language is not yet common, continuing to raise awareness within conversations and translation is vital in order to make it more recognized and accessible.
The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) has already started this process within their Inclusive Language and Terminology Special Interest Group (SIG), which recently published “Tips for Starting a Successful Inclusive Language Program.” GALA is a non-profit that serves and supports the global language services and technologies industry which comprises translation, interpreting, localization, and the technologies that support such activities. Because of their human-focused, future-oriented approach they value language as a “critical element of accessibility and inclusion and as an investment worth making.” While these tips were created for a program, it’s important to note that they are universal and can be used within education or your personal community.
GALA’s nine tips begin with deciding. This is important, as the conscious choice to begin using inclusive language helps you be clear to yourself and others about the importance of adopting this language. From there, you can gather a group of motivated people and begin implementing a language program. For more tips and the full roadmap, visit “Tips for Starting a Successful Inclusive Language Program.”
NYU SPS Professor Roxana Dinu is a co-moderator of the GALA Inclusive Language and Terminology SIG and an advocate for inclusive language. As a freelance translator, editor, and conference interpreter for almost three decades, she has been teaching, supporting, and following the use of inclusive language for years, including teaching a course for the MS in Translation and Interpreting on translating gender-neutrality. She believes that there is a “two-way relationship between [the influences of society and language], because there is a constant interaction between language and society. As we know, language is a living thing and it changes along with the changes that take place in society.” Therefore, inclusive language can “benefit all people.”
Inclusion will always be an important part of building community. In order to best collaborate with others, opening up dialogue that is inclusive can build trust and respect as well as break down barriers in communication that would otherwise be intimidating or exclusionary. Whether it’s within the same language, or across languages, inclusive language means being aware of exclusionary language and beginning to change it. As we’ve learned with GALA’s tips, practicing inclusivity within language just starts with deciding that you want to! It’s that simple, and can make your community a little stronger every day.