This page has been prepared by the Georgetown University Library’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. If you have comments or suggestions about this page, please contact the Library's DEI Committee.
Introduction / Definitions
Inclusive language is defined as language that "acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to difference and promotes equal opportunity." While language has the power to create bonds and understanding, it often has been used to define differences that marginalize, misrepresent, offend, and perpetuate the use of stereotypes.
This guide is designed to help individuals consider the power of their language so that they avoid references to identity-based groups defined by race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, and disabilities that marginalize, misrepresent, offend, and perpetuate the use of stereotypes. Additionally, this guide provides resources to help individuals use language more thoughtfully to foster affirmation, respect, and "an appreciation of different approaches, styles, perspectives, and experiences." The resources below define the problems with terminology, offer some best practices, and provide style guides and dictionaries to help writers and speakers use more inclusive language.
[Source of first quotation: Linguistic Society of America's The Guidelines for Inclusive Language; source of second quotation: Inclusive Language Guidelines by APA]
Best Practices
- An Incomplete Guide to Inclusive Language for Startups and Tech a digital article by Courtney Seiter for Buffer Blog
- Inclusive Language Guide, guidelines recommended by The Family Institute at Northwestern University
- Guidelines for Inclusive Language, guidelines recommended by the Linguistic Society of America
Editorial Style Guides and Dictionaries
- Inclusive Language Guide, guidelines recommended by the department of Global Marketing and Communications at Northwestern University
- The Diversity Style Guide, a stylebook by the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism at San Francisco State University
- Homosaurus, a dictionary by the Digital Transgender Archive
- Stylebook on LGBTQ a stylebook by NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists
- Reporting and Indigeneous Terminology, guidelines by Native American Journalists Association
- Writing about Slavery? Teaching about Slavery, guidelines by by P. Gabrielle Foreman et. al.
- National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Style Guide, a stylebook on terms and language usage relevant to the Black community
- Disability Language Style Guide, a stylebook by National Center on Disability and Journalism
- The Language of Disability, a stylebook by the ACE DisAbility Network
- “Choosing Words for Talking about Disability,” guidelines recommended by the American Psychological Association
- Cultural Competence Handbook, guidelines recommended by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, March 2021
- Inclusive Language Guide, guidelines recommended by the American Psychological Association, 2023
Essays Considering New Terminologies
- “Person first,” “person centered,” and autonomy,” article by John E. McIntyre, Baltimore Sun, July 13, 2017
- “Opinion: Why ‘White’ Should be Capitalized Too,” editorial contributed by Nell Irvin Painter, The Washington Post, July 22, 2020.
- “Latina/o/x,” article by Josh Logue, Inside Higher Education, December 8, 2015
Georgetown University Resources on Inclusive Language
- Pronoun Practices for Teaching and Learning, LGBTQ Resource Center
- Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action
- Inclusive Pedagogy. Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship