INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Using inclusive language does not just mean using welcoming and affirming statements, although that is certainly a good first step. Increasing the inclusiveness of our language means striving to understand the ways that language often unconsciously makes assumptions about people and unintentionally reinforces dominant norms around gender, sexual orientation, race, class, ability/disability, age, and other identities and experiences.
Inclusive language positively reflects and respects the diversity of our society. This means avoiding words or phrases that marginalise or exclude individuals and groups. Consciously or unconsciously, our language has the power to create and reinforce bias and negative stereotypes. We want to use inclusive language to challenge existing norms that are outdated or offensive, and to shape a better society for the future.
The best way to use inclusive language is to avoid using exclusive language, which can be a bit of a challenge to get your head around, as it’s used heavily in both social and professional environments. Using inclusive language usually means firstly identifying exclusive language, then unlearning that language, then replacing it with something that is more inclusive.
WORKSHOP SYNOPSIS
There are certain topics in the workplace that people find difficult to discuss. And there are ways of talking, words and expressions, that unintentionally offend, upset or exclude others.
This workshop provides insights and approaches to enable participants to have those difficult conversations and to identify phrases, words and language structures that include rather than exclude others.
Customised Delivery Duration
Face to Face 2 hours
Virtual 2 hours
Who Will Benefit?
Exec teams, senior leadership teams, people leaders, managers, HR and D&I professionals.
Related Programmes
- Business Case for Inclusion
- Business Impact of the Unconscious
- Characteristics of an Inclusive Leader
- Divisional Cultures in Large Organisations
- Embracing Difference
- High Performance in Virtual Teams
- Inclusion Clinics
- Inclusive Language
- Personal Impact of the Unconscious
- Supporting the Progression of Women
- Talking to Others About Inclusion
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- How to talk about… (race, gender, disability)
- Language structures that exclude and how to avoid them
- Unconscious bias and the impact on speech
- Inclusive language toolbox.
Participants commit to specific actions to practice inclusion in their day-to-day language.
- Learn how to talk about ‘taboo’ topics such as race
- Explore patterns in their language that include some people and exclude others
- Understand how unconscious bias plays out in language
- Take away practical strategies and tactics to be more inclusive through language