My Personal Journey into Inclusion Language
In the realm of communication, language wields a transformative power that goes beyond mere conversation. It plays a pivotal role in shaping our reality, influencing our perspectives, and creating various avenues for growth. Throughout my career as a specialist in localization and SEO, I have been unwavering in my commitment to championing the cause of inclusive language. In doing so, I strive to ensure that the words we use not only convey messages effectively but also celebrate diversity, nurture a sense of belonging, and dismantle any existing barriers.
My journey towards embracing inclusive communication took flight in 2018, sparked by Frances McDormand’s memorable Oscar acceptance speech. It was during this speech that I first encountered the notion of inclusion rider—a contractual provision designed to guarantee diversity within the realm of film production. McDormand’s words struck a chord within me, igniting a profound realization. If actors and filmmakers could leverage their influence to demand inclusivity in storytelling, why couldn’t language professionals mirror this approach in their communication practices?
That moment became the foundation of my mission: to become an “inclusion writer.” Just as an inclusion rider ensures diverse representation in the film industry, my goal is to integrate inclusion language into localization projects and content strategies—helping brands and businesses reach wider, more diverse audiences in a respectful and meaningful way.
Businesses, content creators, and organizations that understand the power of inclusive language are able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. This piece delves into the concept of inclusion language, its significance, and ways to incorporate it into your communication plan. Whether you’re a brand seeking enhanced messaging, a marketer looking for increased audience interaction, or a writer honing your language skills, this article offers practical advice and tangible examples to ensure your content embraces inclusivity and steers clear of discriminatory expressions in everyday discussions.
For more insights into my inclusive translation and SEO localization strategies, head over to my About page. Together, let’s craft content that resonates with all—because words are meant to unify, not divide.
What Is Inclusive Language & Why Is It Important?
Definition & Core Principles
Collins Dictionary, define inclusive language (also known as inclusion language) as “language that avoids the use of certain expressions or words that might be considered to exclude particular groups of people.” It refers to a type of communication that is respectful, unbiased, and free from stereotypes. Contrary to misconceptions, inclusion language is not about being “politically correct”—it’s about ensuring that all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.
However, inclusion language is often misunderstood. Some perceive it as unnecessary “political correctness,” but in reality, it’s about ensuring that communication reflects the diverse identities and experiences of the people we engage with. When used effectively, it creates environments—whether in the workplace, marketing, or daily interactions—where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
At its core, inclusive language is guided by four key principles:
✅ Gender neutrality – Avoiding gendered assumptions (e.g., using firefighter instead of fireman).
✅ Cultural sensitivity – Choosing words that respect different backgrounds and traditions.
✅ Disability inclusion – Using respectful, person-first language (e.g., person with a disability rather than handicapped).
✅ Avoiding stereotypes – Steering clear of expressions that reinforce bias or exclusion.
Today, an increasing number of companies and institutions—both public and private—are rethinking their image and offerings to engage a diverse and multicultural audience, understanding the importance of inclusive language. One of the earliest efforts to promote inclusion language can be traced back to the European Parliament’s adoption and dissemination of multilingual guidelines on gender-neutral language.
From the Berlinale film festival, which replaced its Best Actor and Best Actress awards with a single gender-neutral Best Performance award, to the small Italian municipality of Castelfranco Emilia, which briefly adopted the schwa symbol in official communications—examples of this linguistic evolution continue to grow. While some initiatives may initially seem like superficial marketing strategies, many reflect deeper social change.
Inclusion language has emerged as a direct response to these shifts, with the goal of promoting diversity, ensuring gender equality, challenging discrimination, and eliminating stereotypes in everyday speech. It aims to help people use language that is free from words, phrases, or tones that reinforce prejudice and bias against specific groups.
Benefits of Using Accessible Comunication Strategies
Using inclusion language is not just a passing trend—it has real-world implications. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Promotes respect: by using words that are conscious of others’ identities and experiences, we demonstrate consideration for all people, reducing marginalization and exclusion.
- Enhances communication: language that avoids bias and exclusivity ensures that messages are clearer and more effective, preventing misunderstandings.
- Supports social change: words shape attitudes and behaviors. By choosing inclusive terminology, we can help challenge harmful stereotypes and contribute to a more equitable society.
- Improves workplace environments: by implementing virtuous examples of inclusive language in the workplace it’s possible to promote a more open and accessible conditions and improve overrall colleaugues’ relationships.
Incorporating inclusive writing into communication today means creating content that reflects the realities of a diverse society while respecting individual identities. It enables the development of discourse that is free from language reinforcing stereotypes and discrimination. While the use of inclusion language in daily life remains a personal choice, digital content designed for a broad and diverse audience must adhere to communication principles that acknowledge gender identities and actively work toward eliminating stereotypes.
How to Implement Inclusion Language in Everyday Communication
Gender-Neutral Language: What to Use & Avoid
Ingrained within societal customs, language has long mirrored conventional gender norms. Many phrases assume a binary gender outlook, typically favouring terms centred around males. Yet, as our perception of gender expands, so too should our language.
Traditional grammar and everyday speech often prioritise masculine references as the norm, inadvertently alienating or misrepresenting individuals outside the male-female dichotomy.
🔹 Gendered language phrase:
❌ Every student must bring his book.
🔹 Gender-neutral alternative:
✅ Every student should bring their book.
Previously, adopting he universally was deemed correct, but this convention disregards the identities of women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. Simple adjustments—such as utilising they as a singular pronoun—enhance inclusivity in communication while maintaining clarity.
Common Gendered Phrases and Inclusive Alternatives
By making intentional choices in our language, we can avoid reinforcing outdated gender norms. Here are some examples of gendered language and their inclusive counterparts:
| Gendered Phrase | Inclusive Alternative |
|---|---|
| ❌ “Ladies and gentlemen” | ✅ “Esteemed guests” / “Everyone” |
| ❌ “Policeman” / “Fireman” | ✅ “Police officer” / “Firefighter” |
| ❌ “Mankind” | ✅ “Humankind” / “People” |
| ❌ “Chairman” | ✅ “Chairperson” |
| ❌ “Waitress” | ✅ “Server” |
| ❌ “Hey guys!” | ✅ “Hey everyone!” / “Hey folks!” |
These small linguistic changes help dismantle gender biases in everyday language and contribute to a more equitable society. By incorporating gender-neutral language, we create communication that is more inclusive, accurate, and respectful—ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender identity, feels seen and valued.
Avoiding Ableist Language & Making Speech Accessible
What Is Ableist Language?
Ableist language includes:
- Metaphors that equate disabilities with negative traits (e.g., associating mental illness with unpredictability or lack of intelligence).
- Phrases that imply disability is something inherently negative (e.g., using “lame” to describe something undesirable).
- Expressions that erase the experiences of disabled individuals by assuming a single perspective on ability and mobility.
These words may seem harmless, but they can reinforce harmful stereotypes and make people feel excluded.
Common Ableist Phrases and Inclusive Alternatives
Here are some everyday phrases that contain ableist language, along with inclusive alternatives that promote respect and accessibility:
Mental Health & Neurodiversity
Many common expressions stigmatize mental health conditions or imply that neurological differences are inherently negative.
🚫 “That’s crazy!” → ✅ “That’s surprising!”
🚫 “She’s acting so bipolar today.” → ✅ “She seems to be having a tough time.”
🚫 “I’m so OCD about cleaning.” → ✅ “I like things really organized.”
🚫 “He’s a psycho.” → ✅ “His behavior was unpredictable.”
Why change? Using psychiatric diagnoses as casual descriptors contributes to misconceptions and stigma about mental health. People with bipolar disorder, OCD, or schizophrenia deserve accurate representation, not harmful stereotypes.
Mobility & Physical Disabilities
Some common phrases assume that everyone has the same physical abilities, which can be exclusionary to people with mobility impairments or chronic illnesses.
🚫 “I stand with you.” → ✅ “I support you.”
🚫 “Turn a blind eye.” → ✅ “Ignore” or “overlook.”
🚫 “Falling on deaf ears.” → ✅ “Being ignored.”
🚫 “Are you blind?” → ✅ “Did you see that?”
Why change? These expressions reinforce stereotypes about people with vision, hearing, and mobility disabilities, often implying that their condition is synonymous with ignorance or lack of awareness.
Intelligence & Cognitive Differences
Many phrases equate intelligence with worth, dismissing people with cognitive disabilities or learning differences.
🚫 “That idea is so dumb.” → ✅ “That idea doesn’t make sense to me.”
🚫 “Don’t be an idiot.” → ✅ “That was a mistake.”
🚫 “He’s so slow.” → ✅ “He’s taking his time.”
🚫 “Are you dense?” → ✅ “Do you understand?”
Why change? Words like dumb, idiot, and slow have been historically used to dehumanize and marginalize people with intellectual disabilities. Choosing neutral, descriptive terms fosters respect and removes outdated stigmas.
Pain & Chronic Illness
Phrases related to pain and energy levels can dismiss the reality of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
🚫 “I feel so paralyzed by this decision.” → ✅ “I feel stuck.”
🚫 “This task is crippling me.” → ✅ “This task is overwhelming.”
🚫 “I’m totally addicted to this show.” → ✅ “I really love this show.”
🚫 “That’s lame.” → ✅ “That’s disappointing.”
Why change? Words like crippling and lame reduce disabilities to negative metaphors, reinforcing the idea that having a disability is inherently bad. Instead, use language that describes experiences without unintended ableist connotations.Common Ableist Phrases and Inclusive Alternatives
Here are some everyday phrases that contain ableist language, along with inclusive alternatives that promote respect and accessibility:
Mental Health & Neurodiversity
Many common expressions stigmatize mental health conditions or imply that neurological differences are inherently negative.
🚫 “That’s crazy!” → ✅ “That’s surprising!”
🚫 “She’s acting so bipolar today.” → ✅ “She seems to be having a tough time.”
🚫 “I’m so OCD about cleaning.” → ✅ “I like things really organized.”
🚫 “He’s a psycho.” → ✅ “His behavior was unpredictable.”
Why change? Using psychiatric diagnoses as casual descriptors contributes to misconceptions and stigma about mental health. People with bipolar disorder, OCD, or schizophrenia deserve accurate representation, not harmful stereotypes.
Mobility & Physical Disabilities
Some common phrases assume that everyone has the same physical abilities, which can be exclusionary to people with mobility impairments or chronic illnesses.
🚫 “I stand with you.” → ✅ “I support you.”
🚫 “Turn a blind eye.” → ✅ “Ignore” or “overlook.”
🚫 “Falling on deaf ears.” → ✅ “Being ignored.”
🚫 “Are you blind?” → ✅ “Did you see that?”
Why change? These expressions reinforce stereotypes about people with vision, hearing, and mobility disabilities, often implying that their condition is synonymous with ignorance or lack of awareness.
Intelligence & Cognitive Differences
Many phrases equate intelligence with worth, dismissing people with cognitive disabilities or learning differences.
🚫 “That idea is so dumb.” → ✅ “That idea doesn’t make sense to me.”
🚫 “Don’t be an idiot.” → ✅ “That was a mistake.”
🚫 “He’s so slow.” → ✅ “He’s taking his time.”
🚫 “Are you dense?” → ✅ “Do you understand?”
Why change? Words like dumb, idiot, and slow have been historically used to dehumanize and marginalize people with intellectual disabilities. Choosing neutral, descriptive terms fosters respect and removes outdated stigmas.
Pain & Chronic Illness
Phrases related to pain and energy levels can dismiss the reality of people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
🚫 “I feel so paralyzed by this decision.” → ✅ “I feel stuck.”
🚫 “This task is crippling me.” → ✅ “This task is overwhelming.”
🚫 “I’m totally addicted to this show.” → ✅ “I really love this show.”
🚫 “That’s lame.” → ✅ “That’s disappointing.”
Why change? Words like crippling and lame reduce disabilities to negative metaphors, reinforcing the idea that having a disability is inherently bad. Instead, use language that describes experiences without unintended ableist connotations.
Other Common Mistakes to Avoid in Inclusion Communication
❌ Using outdated terminology – Language evolves, and terms that were once widely accepted may now be considered offensive or exclusionary. For example, words like “handicapped” have been replaced with “person with a disability”, and “transsexual” has largely been replaced with “transgender.” Staying informed about current, respectful terminology is essential for fostering an inclusive environment.
❌ Assuming someone’s identity or background – Making assumptions about a person’s gender, ethnicity, abilities, or experiences based on their appearance or name can be exclusionary and dismissive. Instead of assuming, ask for and respect people’s preferred pronouns, names, and identifiers. A simple approach like “How would you like to be addressed?” can make a significant difference in making someone feel valued.
❌ Ignoring feedback on language use – No one gets everything right all the time, and inclusive communication is an ongoing learning process. If someone corrects you on your language, it’s important to listen, acknowledge the feedback, and make an effort to adjust. Dismissing feedback by saying “I didn’t mean it that way” or “People are too sensitive” can come across as defensive and dismissive. Instead, approach these moments as learning opportunities to grow and improve.
❌ Overcomplicating language in an attempt to be inclusive – While inclusivity is important, using overly complex or unfamiliar terms can sometimes create confusion rather than clarity. For example, using technical jargon or academic terms when speaking to a general audience may not always be effective. The goal should always be clear, accessible communication that respects diversity without making language unnecessarily complicated.
By being intentional with our words and open to continuous learning, we can ensure that our communication is not only inclusive but also respectful, thoughtful, and accessible to all.
How to Implement Inclusive Choices in Your Writing
Inclusive writing requires awareness, intentionality, and the right resources. To help professionals, brands, and content creators adopt accurate and respectful language, I recommend using these authoritative guides:
- NLGJA Stylebook on LGBTQ+ Terminology – A comprehensive reference for using correct and affirming language when writing about LGBTQ+ communities.
- NCDJ Disability Language Style Guide – A key resource for avoiding ableist language and ensuring respectful communication when referring to individuals with disabilities.
- NABJ Style Guide – A style guide dedicated to accurate and fair representation of Black communities in the media.
- OHSU Inclusive Language Guide – A detailed guide on inclusive communication across various identities and experiences.
By integrating these guidelines into your writing, you can ensure that your communication is inclusive, respectful, and aligned with best practices.
Coming Soon: Guidelines for Inclusive Language in Italian
Inclusion language is not just an English-language concern—it’s a global movement. As a professional Italian translator and localization expert, I understand the unique linguistic challenges of making the Italian language more inclusive, especially regarding gender neutrality and accessibility.
I’m currently working on a comprehensive guide to inclusive Italian language, which I will be publishing soon on my blog. Stay tuned for practical insights, examples, and strategies to make your Italian texts more inclusive.
📢 Visit my blog for updates and new inclusive language guides: Read more here
Conclusion
The power of words is immense—they shape perceptions, build connections, and define the inclusivity of your brand. Inclusive language isn’t just about avoiding offensive terms; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.
With recent U.S. rollbacks in government DEI policies, the responsibility to keep the conversation on diversity and inclusion alive now falls even more on businesses, content creators, and brands. The push for equitable communication and representation cannot depend on policies alone—it must be an active, ongoing effort in every industry.
Is Your Brand’s Communication Truly Inclusive?
Words influence workplace culture, customer engagement, and brand reputation. A globally inclusive brand doesn’t just reach wider audiences—it builds trust, loyalty, and meaningful relationships across diverse communities.
Let me help you get there.
With my Inclusivity Audit service, I evaluate your website, marketing materials, and business communications to identify biases, exclusive wording, and areas for improvement. Together, we can refine your messaging, align it with SEO best practices, and ensure that it resonates with all audiences—regardless of gender, background, or ability.
👉 Ready to future-proof your brand with inclusion language? Learn more about my Inclusivity audit service here.
💡 Are you looking for a more broad Italian localization strategy? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.