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https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/inclusive-language

Inclusive language
https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/inclusive-language

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Inclusive language

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README 

        
# Inclusive language



This is a list of inclusive language ideas that we use with some of our projects, including ones with United Nations affiliates, government agencies, multi-national organizations, and many of the companies listed below. This helps the goal of creating working environments that embrace equality.



If you use this list, adapt it as you wish and how the words may relate to your context, such as your priorities, cultural sensitivities, workplace recommndations, etc.



We welcome constructive feedback.



We welcome contributions in other languages.



## Introductions



* United Nations - gender-inclusive language -

[Arabic](https://www.un.org/ar/gender-inclusive-language/),

[Chinese](https://www.un.org/zh/gender-inclusive-language/),

[English](https://www.un.org/en/gender-inclusive-language/),

[French](https://www.un.org/fr/gender-inclusive-language/),

[Russian](https://www.un.org/ru/gender-inclusive-language/),

[Spanish](https://www.un.org/es/gender-inclusive-language/)



* United Nations - disability inclusion language guidelines -

[Chinese](doc/un.org/disability-inclusive-language-guidelines-zh.pdf),

[English](doc/un.org/disability-inclusive-language-guidelines-en.pdf),

[French](doc/un.org/disability-inclusive-language-guidelines-fr.pdf),

[Russian](doc/un.org/disability-inclusive-language-guidelines-ru.pdf)



* Inclusive language in technology:

[ASWF](https://www.aswf.io/blog/inclusive-language/),

[Buffer](https://buffer.com/resources/inclusive-language-tech/),

[Detroit Labs](https://www.detroitlabs.com/blog/2020/06/11/inclusive-language-in-technology/),

[Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/04/03/why-inclusive-language-matters-in-tech/?sh=7e99b84e6017),

[IBM](https://www.ibm.com/blogs/think/2020/08/words-matter-driving-thoughtful-change-toward-inclusive-language-in-technology/),

[Northwestern](https://www.it.northwestern.edu/about/it-projects/dei/glossary.html).



* Gender bias issues:

[Amazon](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-01/amazon-is-sued-for-alleged-racial-and-gender-discrimination),

[Facebook](https://theintercept.com/2021/04/09/facebook-algorithm-gender-discrimination/),

[GitHub](https://medium.com/gender-equality-in-tech/the-truth-about-githubs-gender-bias-b92a1d6310d3),

[Twitter](https://www.dailydot.com/debug/bechdel-test-twitter/),

[Uber](https://edubirdie.com/examples/gender-equality-analysis-of-the-problem-at-uber/),

[Wikipedia](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_bias_on_Wikipedia).



* Psychological safety:

[Harvard](https://www.jstor.org/stable/2666999),

[Google](https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/understanding-team-effectiveness/steps/foster-psychological-safety/),

[McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/psychological-safety-and-the-critical-role-of-leadership-development),

[Microsoft](https://workplaceinsights.microsoft.com/productivity/high-performing-teams-need-psychological-safety-heres-how-to-create-it/),

[Wikipedia](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_safety).



* [Inclusive Naming Initiative](https://inclusivenaming.org/) involving

[Cisco](https://cisco.com),

[Intel](https://intel.com),

[RedHat](https://redhat.com),

[Extreme Networks](https://www.extremenetworks.com/),

[Canonical](https://canoncial.com).



* [Brand Naming Changes](https://blog.cheapism.com/companies-forced-to-rebrand/) involving

[Disney](https://disney.com),

[Lego](https://lego.com),

[Nestlé](https://nestle.com),

[Mars](https://mars.com),

[PepsiCo](https://pepsico.com),

[Unilever](https://unilever.com).



* [Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative by Stanford University](doc/elimination-of-harmful-language-initiative-by-stanford.pdf)

  

* [Writing Help Central: Gender-Neutral Equivalent Words](http://www.writinghelp-central.com/gender-neutral.html)



* [Good Practices: Inclusive Language](https://lgbtq.umd.edu/good-practices-inclusive-language)



* [Merriam-Webster: Words at Play: Mx. gender neutral title](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/mx-gender-neutral-title)



* [Merriam-Webster: Words at Play: Singular non-binary they](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/singular-nonbinary-they)



## Roles with -man or -woman



Roles that end with gendered suffix "-man" or "-woman" can change to end with "person" or to an alternative.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    ad-man, ad-woman, adman, adwomanad-person, adperson, advertising executive, ad executive, advertising agent, ad agent, promoter

    airman, airwomanairperson, air crew member, pilot

    alderman, alderwomanalderperson, council member

    anchorman, anchorwomananchor, anchorperson, commentator, newscaster

    assemblyman, assemblywomanassemblyperson, assembly member

    barman, barwoman, barmaidbarperson, barkeeper, bar-keeper, barkeep, bar-keep, bartender, bar-tender

    bondsman, bondswomanbondsperson, guarantor, insurer

    boss man, boss womanboss, chief, president, leader

    brakeman, brakewoman, brakesman, brakeswomanbrake operator, train conductor's assistant

    businessman, businesswoman, business man, business womanbusinessperson, business person, executive, manager

    cameraman, camerawoman, camera man, camera womancameraperson, camera person, camera operator, cinematographer

    careerman, careerwomancareerperson, business person, professional, careerist

    caveman, cavewoman, cave man, cave womancaveperson, cave person, cave dweller, prehistoric human, prehistoric person, primitive person

    chairman, chairwomanchair, chairperson, coordinator, head, president, director

    clergyman, clergywomanclergyperson, clergy member, cleric, preacher

    councilman, councilwomancouncilperson, council member

    committeeman, committeewomancommitteeperson, committee member

    confidence-man, confidence-woman, con man, con womanconfidence-person, swindler, crook, trickster, con artist

    congressman, congresswomancongressperson, congressional representative, legislator, lawmaker, congressional delegate

    contact-man, contact-woman, contact man, contact womancontact-person, contact person, contact, coordinator

    countryman, countrywomancountryperson, compatriot, fellow citizen, fellow national

    craftsman, craftswomancraftsperson, crafter, craft maker, artisan

    crewman, crewwomancrewperson, crewmate, crew member

    dairyman, dairywoman, dairymaiddairyperson, dairy farmer, dairy worker

    deliveryman, deliverywoman, delivery man, delivery womandeliveryperson, delivery person, delivery driver, deliverer, courier, clerk

    doorman, doorwoman, doorsman, doorswomandoorperson, door attendant, doorkeeper, gatekeeper, security guard, porter, concierge

    draftsman, draftswoman, draughtsman, draughtswomandraftsperson, draughtsperson, drafter

    enlisted man, enlisted womanenlisted person, enlistee, soldier, recruit, private

    everyman, everywomaneveryperson, the common person, the average person, commoner, worker

    fall guy, fall galfall person, scapegoat

    fellowman, fellowwomanhuman person, person, fellow citizen, peer, partner, comrade

    fireman, firewomanfirefighter

    fisherman, fisherwomanfisherperson, fisher, angler

    fishermen, fisherwomenfisherpersons, fisherfolk, anglers

    foreman, forewomanforeperson, manager, supervisor, captain, team leader

    freshman, freshwomanfirst-year student, first-year member, newcomer, novice, beginner

    gentleman, gentlewomangentleperson

    handyman, handywomanhandyperson, repair person, repairperson, maintenance worker

    horseman, horsewomanhorseperson, horse rider, equestrian

    layman, laywomanlayperson, church member, nonordained person

    kinsman, kinswomankinsperson, relative

    lawman, lawwomanlawperson, law enforcement officer, sheriff

    layman, laywomanlayperson, nonprofessional, non-professional, amateur, civilian

    letterman, letterwomanletterperson, varsity athelete

    lineman, linewoman, linesman, lineswomanlineperson, linesperson, line worker, line maintainer

    mailman, mailwomanmail carrier, letter carrier, postal worker

    middleman, middlewomanintermediary, go-between

    newsman, newswomannewsperson, reporter, correspondent, news anchor

    ombudsman, ombudswomanombudsperson, investigator, appointee

    outdoorsman, outdoorswomanoutdoors person

    patrolman, patrolwomanpatrolperson, patrol officer, patroller

    policeman, policewomanpolice officer, law enforcement officer

    postman, postwomanmail carrier, letter carrier, postal worker

    pressman, presswomanpress operator, journalist, reporter

    prodigal son, prodigal daughterprodigal child, returning child

    repairman, repairwomanrepairperson, maintenance person, technician, repairer

    schoolboy, schoolgirlschoolchild, student

    snowman, snowwomansnowperson

    spokesman, spokeswomanspokesperson, speaker, representative

    sportsman, sportswomansportsperson, sport player, athelete, teammate

    sportsmanlike, sportswomanlikesportspersonlike, sportlike, sporting, sporty

    sportsmanship, sportswomanshipsportspersonship, sportship, sporting, sporty

    statesman, stateswomanstatesperson, political leader, policy maker, diplomat

    strongman, strongwomanbodybuilder, strength athlete

    watchman, watchwomanwatcher, watchperson, guard, attendant, security officer, security guard

    weatherman, weatherwomanweatherperson, weathercaster, weather forecaster, weather reporter

  



## Roles with -boy or -girl



Roles that end with gendered suffix "-boy" or "-girl" can change to "-person" or to alternatives.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    bagboy, baggirl, bag boy, bag girlbagperson, bagger, assistant, caddy

    batboy, batgirl, bat boy, bat girlbatperson, bat assistant, caddy

    bellboy, bellgirl, bell-boy, bell-girlbellperson, bellhop, hotel attendant

    boy wonder, girl wonderchild prodigy

    busboy, busgirlbusperson, busser, bus staffer, kitchen helper

    cabinboy, cabingirlcabinperson, cabin attendant, cabin helper

    choirboy, choirgirlchoirperson, choir member, choir singer

    chorusboy, chorusgirlchorusperson, chorus member, chorus singer

    copyboy, copygirlcopyperson, copy clerk, copy maker

    cowboy, cowgirlcowperson, cowhand, ranch hand

    flyboy, flygirlflyperson, pilot, aviator

    boy Friday, girl Fridayaide, assistant, helper

    newsboy, newsgirlnewsperson, news seller, paper carrier

    officeboy, officegirlofficeperson, clerk, messenger, assistant

    paperboy, papergirlpaperperson, paper carrier, paper deliverer

    playboy, playgirlplayperson, partier, carouser, pleasure seeker

  



## Roles with -ess -enne -ette



Roles that end with feminine suffix "-ess" or "-enne" or "-ette" can change to omit the end.



Be aware that in some contexts, some meanings may differ; for example, in some cultures or religions a "priest" role can have differences as compared to a "priestess" role.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    actor, actressactor, performer

    comedian, comediennecomedian, humorist

    conductor, conductressconductor, coordinator

    host, hostesshost, welcomer

    major, majorettemajor, dancer

    masseur, masseusemasseur, massage therapist

    patron, patronesspatron, funder

    poet, poetesspoet, lyricist

    priest, priestesspriest, clergy

    sculptor, sculptresssculptor, artist

    sorcerer, sorceresssorcerer, enchanter

    shepherd, shepherdessshepherd, herder

    steward, stewardesssteward, attendant

    tempter, temptresstempter, enticer

    usher, usheretteusher, assistant

    waiter, waitresswaiter, server

    DJaneDJ

  



## Roles with -master or -mistress



Roles that end with gendered suffix "-master" or "-mistress" can change to end with "-maker" or "-leader" or "-er" or to alternatives.



Be aware that in some contexts, some meanings may differ; for example, in some cultures a "shipmaster" role can have differences compared to a "shipmistess" role.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    brewmaster, brewmistressbrewmaker, brew leader, brewer

    headmaster, headmistressheadmaker, head leader, head of school, principal

    shipmaster, shipmistressshipmaker, ship leader, captain, commander

    taskmaster, taskmistresstaskmaker, task leader, tasker, director, supervisor, tyrant

    toastmaster, toastmistresstoastmaker, toast leader, toaster, announcer, head of ceremonies

  



## Roles with -lord or -lady



Roles that end with gendered suffix "-lord" or "-lady" can change to end with "-keeper", which is the original derivation in English.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    lord, ladynoble, liege, monarch, regent, sovereign

    landlord, landladylandkeeper, property owner

    overlord, overladyoverkeeper, ruler, authority

  



## Roles with gender



Roles with gender words can change to use pan-gender words.



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    king, queenmonarch, the crown, your majesty

    prince, princessroyal, highness, heir to the throne, eminence, liege

    lord in waiting, lady in waitingcourtier, royal attendant, valet

    butler, maiddomestic worker

    midwifemaïeuticien, obstetrician

  



## Phrases



Phrases with "man" can change to use "one" or "person".



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    forefathers, foremothersforeparents, forebearers, ancestors

    founding fathers, founding mothersfounding parents, founding leaders, founders

    gentlemen's agreement, gentlewomen's agreementunwritten agreement, honor agreement

    grandfather clause, grandmother clausepre-existing clause, pre-defined clause, legacy clause

    low man on the totem polelow person on the list, least one in the group

    maiden voyagefirst voyage

    man about town, woman about townbon vivant, mover and shaker

    man among men, woman among womenoutstanding person, excellent person

    man of action, woman of actionaction-oriented person, go-getter, dynamo

    man of distinction, woman of distinctionperson of distinction, notable person

    man of letters, woman of lettersperson of letters, academic, scholar

    man of the hour, woman of the hourperson of the hour, newsmaker of the hour

    man to man, woman to womanperson to person, face to face, head to head

    no-man's landno-go land, neutral zone, uninhabited area, unclaimed land

    no man is an islandno one is an island

    the common manthe common person, the average person

    the man in the streetthe person in the street, the average person

    the right man for the jobthe right one for the job, the right person for the job

    to a manto a one, each one, everyone, unanimous, without exception

    to the last manto the last one

  



## Idiomatic uses of Names and Placeholder Names



Expressions that involve gendered first names



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    Average Joeaverage person

    Jo Schmoe, Joe Schmo, Joe Shmo, Joe Shmoeanybody, no one in particular

    Jack of all trades, Jill of all tradesall-arounder

    John Doe, Jane Doeunnamed person, unidentified individual, anonymous

    John Q. Public, Jane Q. Publiccitizen, common person, member of society

    Jolly Rogerpirate flag, skull and bones

    Lazy Susanturntable, rotating tray

    Peeping Tomvoyeur

    Smart Alec, Smart Aleckknow-it-all, conceited person

    Tom Dick and Harryordinary people, anyone, everyone

    Father Timetime, time personified, time deity

    Mother Naturenature, nature personified, nature deity

  



## General



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    boy, girlperson, individual, child

    boyfriend, girlfriendfriend, date, partner, companion, consort, significant other, S/O, SO

    man, womanperson, individual, adult

    mankind, womankindpeople, humans, humanity, humankind

    Mother Naturenature

    husband, wifespouse, consort

    widow, widowerwidowed person, bereaved spouse, bereaved person

  



## Greetings



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    Dear Sir/MadamDear Reader, To Whom It May Concern, etc.

    ladies & gentlemeneveryone, esteemed guests, honored attendees

    men & womeneveryone, attendees, guests, adults, colleagues, coworkers, etc.

    boys & girlseveryone, attendees, guests, children, students, classmates, etc.

    Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss, Madam, Mme.Mx. (pronounced "mix")

  



## Families



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    mother, fatherparent

    mother figure, father figureparental figure

    motherhood, fatherhoodparenthood

    daughter, sonchild

    sister, brothersibling

    girl, boychild, youth, youngster

    niece, nephewnibling

    aunt, uncleauncle

    fraternal twinsdifferentiable twins, non-identical twins

    godfather, godmothergodparent

  



## Weddings



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    girlfriend, boyfriendfriend, date, partner, companion, consort, significant other

    wife, husbandspouse, consort

    fiancée, fiancénearlywed, fiancé (one é), spouse-to-be

    bride, groomnewlywed, marrier, celebrant, spouse, broom

    maid of honor, matron of honor, man of honorperson of honor

    best man, best maid, best matronbest person

    bridesmaid, groomsmanattendant

    bridesmaids, groomsmenattendants, wedding party

    flower girl, flower boyflower child, flower person, flower pal

    bachelor, bachelorettebachelorx (pronounced "bachelor-ex")

    hen party, stag partyanimal party, fox party, nearlywed party

    maiden namefamily name, birth name

  



## Miscellaneous



  

    Gender-exclusiveGender-inclusive

  

  

    alumnus, alumnaalum, graduate

    alumni, alumnaealums, graduates

    brethrenlaity

    brotherhood, sisterhoodsiblinghood, fellowship, camaraderie

    brotherly, sisterlysiblingly, kindly, helpfully

    brotherly love, sisterly lovesiblingly love, charity, goodwill

    coedstudent

    man (verb)to guard, to staff, to operate, to mind [the store]

    man-made, woman-madehand-made, human-made, machine-made, not natural, synthetic, artificial

    manholeutility hole, access hole, sewer hole, maintenance hole

    manpower, womanpowerpersonpower, teampower, workers, workforce, staff

    meter-maid, meter-matron, meter-manmeter-reader, parking enforcement officer, PEO, parking officer, parking inspector, traffic warden, civil enforcement officer

    motherland, fatherlandhomeland

  



## Pronoun-related



  

    Gender-exclusive singular pronounGender-inclusive singular pronoun

  

  

    he, she, he/shethey

    him, her, him/herthem

    himself, herself, himself/herselfthemselves, themself, oneself

    his, her, his/hertheir

    his, hers, his/herstheirs

  



## Disability-related



Phase out phrases that have the disability before the person; phase in phrases that have the person before the disability.



Phase out "people"; phase in "persons".



Phase out "special"; phase in "tailored".



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    disabled/handicapped/differently-abled personperson with disability

    disabled/handicapped/differently-abled peoplepersons with disabilities

    disabled/handicapped/differently-abled placeaccessible place

    person/people of determinationperson with disability

    special needs/assistance/educationtailored needs/assistance/education

    suffering/afflicted/stricken/troubled (with a disability)has a disability

  



Specific disabilities:



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    addictperson with an addiction, person with a substance disorder

    addicted (in a pop culture sense)excited, immersed, engrossed

    albinoperson with albinism

    basket caseuseless, unable to cope, unfunctional

    confined/restricted to a wheelchair, wheelchair-bound, wheelchair userperson who uses a wheelchair

    crazy (in a psychological sense)person with a psychosocial disability

    crazy (in a pop culture postive sense)excited, enthusiastic, fanatical, passionate

    crazy (in a pop culture negative sense)foolish, irresponsible, unsound

    crippled, invalid, deformed, physically challengedperson with a physical disability

    insane, crazy, maniac, psycho, hypersensitive, lunatic, demented, panicked, agitated, mentally deranged, mentally illperson with a psychosocial disability

    lame, limpingperson with a mobility disability

    leperperson affected by leprosy

    midget, dwarf, stuntedperson of short stature

    mongoloidperson with trisomy-21, person with Down syndrome

    OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (in a pop culture sense)very precise, highly specific, extremely detail-oriented

    retarded, simple, slow, afflicted, brain- damaged, intellectually challenged, subnormal, of unsound mind, feeble-minded, mentally handicappedperson with an intellectual disability

  



Perjoratives and idioms:



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    blind as a batcompletely blind, unable to see

    deaf as a post, deaf as a doorknob, deaf as a doornailcompletely deaf, unable to hear

    dumb as a rock, dumb as a doorknob, dumb as a doornailclueless, stupid

    lame duckineffectual, unsuccessful, in the final period of office

    I have Alzheimer'sI'm forgetful

    I have OCDI'm very precise, highly specific, extremely detail-oriented

    I'm paranoidI'm mistrustful

    I'm lameI'm boring, I'm not cool

    I'm a spazHold me back (thanks Hannah & Lizzo!)

    Spazzin'Blastin' (thanks Hannah & Beyoncé!)

  



## Transgender-related



Words that sound prescriptive can change to words that are individualistic.



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    preferred pronounspersonal pronouns

    transsexualtrans person, transgender person

    sex change, sex reassignmentgender affirmation, transition care, change of gender marker

    biological man, biological womancisgender person or non-transgender person

    feminine pronouns, female pronounsshe/her pronouns

    masculine pronouns, male pronounshe/him pronouns

    hermaphroditeintersex

    lifestyle, preferenceorientation, identity

    non-binaryagender, bigender, pangender, multigender, genderqueer

  



## Inclusive language for business



There are many kinds of inclusive language that come up in business. Here are some examples.



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    best practicesour practices, company practices, practices recommended by

    culture fit, cultural fitvalues fit, practices match, ways of working alignment

    Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI)Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging (DEIB)

    Underrepresented Minorities (URM)Historically Underrepresented Groups (HUG), Historically Marginalized Communities (HMC)     Gender Non-Conforming (GNC)Gender Independent (GI), Gender Individualistic (GI), Gender Variant (GV)

  



## Inclusive language for geography



There are many kinds of inclusive language that come up in geography, such as when a country is seeking indpendence or autonomy, and the country's leaders choose a new name.



Reference:



* [https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_renaming](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_renaming)



Countries:



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    Cape VerdeCabo Verde

    CeylonSri Lanka

    Czech RepublicCzechia

    HollandThe Netherlands

    Republic of MacedoniaRepublic of North Macedonia

    SwazilandEswatini

    TurkeyTürkiye

    WalesCymru

  



Geography places within Cymru/Wales:



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    Snowdonia (National Park)Eryri

    Snowdon (Mountain)Yr Wyddfa

    Lake BalaLlyn Tegid

    Lake AustraliaLlyn Bochlwyd 

    Bearded LakeLlyn Barfog

  



## Inclusive language for technology



There are many other kinds of inclusive language, and in our line of work, some that come up are about techology.



  

    Phase outPhase in

  

  

    white-list/black-list (security)accept/reject, include/exclude, allow/disallow

    culture fit (human resources)values fit

    dummy value (configuration)example value, placeholder value, sample value

    housekeeping (project managment)cleanup, maintenance, streamlining

    master/slave (copying)replicator/replica, original/duplicate, primary/secondary, source/destination, leader/follower, sender/receiver, publisher/subscriber, producer/consumer, writer/reader, onsite/offsite

    master branch (version control)main branch, trunk branch, default branch

    master table (database)schema table

    native feature (user interface) core feature, built-in feature

    scrum masterScrum leader, Scrum manager