The Conscious Language Newsletter: March 2023
From the World of Conscious Language
Should We Stop Using the Term “Natural Disaster”? | State of the Planet
“The scientists and people making decisions around these events generally understand the multitude of ‘unnatural’ causes that turn these events into disasters. However, these unnatural influences may not be understood by the majority of people who consume the media coverage of these events and who vote decisionmakers into power.”
Guide to Investigating Disability Issues: Language and Interviewing | Global Investigative Journalism Network
“Don’t assume what a source may need. Offer an array of different ways the interview can be conducted; by video call with captioning, phone, texting, or in-person, whichever is most accessible and comfortable to the interviewee.”
Dictionary.com Changes Antisemitism Spelling Away From “Anti-Semitism” | Jewish Insider
“The move comes nearly two years after The Associated Press similarly changed the spelling in its widely used style guide. It also reflects an ongoing push by many American Jewish organizations to spell ‘antisemitism’ without the capital S.”
No, My Japanese American Parents Were Not “Interned” During WWII. They Were Incarcerated. | Los Angeles Times
“In a historic decision aimed at accuracy and reconciliation, the Los Angeles Times announced Thursday that it would drop the use of ‘internment’ in most cases to describe the mass incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry during World War II. Instead, The Times will generally use ‘incarceration,’ ‘imprisonment,’ ‘detention’ or their derivatives.”
How “Ma’am” Went From Being a Respectful Word for Some—but Polarizing for Others | CNN
“‘Ma’am’ is generally considered to be a polite term to address a woman, but depending on the region or context, it can mean the exact opposite.”
I Have Schizophrenia. Where’s My Pride Movement? | Slate
“Though it usually strikes me as pejorative when able-minded people call me ‘schizophrenic’ or ‘a schizophrenic,’ it also bothers me when the many schizophrenia advocates without direct lived experience—caregivers, family members, and doctors—correct me when I refer to myself that way.”
Youse Hear About Inclusive Language? | Chicago
“It’s time to bring back ‘youse.’ Once rejected as reactionary, it’s turned out to be more progressive than its replacement…Youse can use youse, too. Every one of youse.”
How to Handle Comments About Your Age at Work | AARP
“Sometimes the comments come as a joke about being ‘over the hill’ or ‘teaching an old dog new tricks.’ Other times they are coded language about being ‘overqualified’ for a new opportunity. But ageist comments, even when disguised as humor, can be demoralizing and could signal more serious bias problems in the workplace.”
Ancient Judaism Recognized a Range of Genders. It’s Time We Did, Too. | The New York Times
“When a child was born in the ancient Jewish world it could be designated as a boy, a girl, a ‘tumtum’ (who is neither clearly male nor female), or an ‘androgynos’ (who has both male and female characteristics) based on physical features.”
Winnipeg Proposes New Indigenous Street Names, but What’s Behind Claims They’re Too Hard to Pronounce? | The Conversation
“Language matters, and changing a few of our street signs from colonial languages like English and French to Indigenous languages like Cree, Ojibwe and Michif is a small act of reconciliation that can have a meaningful impact.”
How an Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory Amplified by Ye, Kyrie Irving Divides Black, Jewish People | Poynter
“Jewish communities are increasingly fearful that the danger is not just words, but could lead to deadly violence.”
5 Lessons From a Year of Implementing the ACS Inclusivity Style Guide | Chemical & Engineering News
“We also know that inclusive communication, including words, images, and accessibility, is just one way to promote inclusion. To create a more inclusive newsroom, C&EN will need to diversify its staff, share stories that celebrate the diversity of chemical scientists, and continue to foster a culture that encourages continuous learning and feedback.”
Examples of Ableist Language You May Not Realize You’re Using | Dictionary.com
An overview of ableist language, including euphemisms and language that focuses on limitations.
What Are Cognitive Disabilities, and Why Are They Important for Web Accessibility? | Bureau of Internet Accessibility
“Web accessibility isn’t only for people who are blind or deaf. You’ll also need to consider users with ADHD, autism, memory impairments, stress disorders, and other conditions.”
Inclusive Design’s Next Chapter: Design for Cognition | Microsoft Design
“If you can create a focused experience that works better for someone with ADHD, it works for everyone—whereas the inverse of that isn’t true, therefore excluding an estimated 20% of the world’s population, who are believed to be neurodivergent.”
From the Archives
How l—a Jewish Writer—Approach Sensitivity Reads for Authors Who Write Jewish Characters | By Jamie Beth Cohen, Conscious Style Guide
“When something an author writes doesn’t ring true, feasible, or authentic to the reader, the reader may end up questioning what else the author got wrong. This breaks the necessary trust between author and reader.”
In Case You Missed It
The Conscious Language Newsletter: February 2023
Rejecting the “free speech” frame, retiring the term “blind review,” and understanding what “Don’t Become the Expert in the Baby” means.
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 | Ask, Share, and Learn in Our Facebook GroupAre you on Facebook? Join our closed Conscious Language + Design Facebook Group to learn, share, and chat with others who are curious or serious about conscious language. |
 | Submit Job Listings for FreeCSG’s Editors of Color Database helps recruiters connect with editors, proofreaders, and sensitivity readers of color in the U.S. and Canada. On the website, you can submit job listings for distribution to our private network of pros and explore the 100+ resources in Diverse Databases, which highlights underrepresented groups. Diversify your sources now! |
 | Get More Tips on InstagramFollow @consciousstyleguide on Instagram for examples of how context can support sensitive content, with a focus on children’s books, including young adult. |
