Q&A: Why Inclusive Language Matters

As the Duke community continues conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s important to consider and understand how words and phrases can unite or cause harm.

Working@Duke interviewed Kimberly Hewitt, vice president for institutional equity; Edna Andrews, professor of linguistics and cultural anthropology and chair of the Program in Linguistics; Lee D. Baker, professor of cultural anthropology, sociology and African and African American studies; Michael Newcity, visiting professor for the Program in Linguistics; and Liliana Paredes, director of the Duke Spanish Language Program and professor of the practice of Romance Studies; about how inclusive language benefits the community. 

WHAT IS LINGUISTIC RACISM?

Linguistic racism occurs when someone makes prejudiced remarks, intentional or not, against an individual for how they speak, their native language or their culture. The acts degrade a community and express superiority. Linguistic racism occurs at every level of language – from the units of sounds and grammatical forms to word meanings.

For example, people who speak Spanish may be told to leave the United States for not using English. Asian Americans have faced discrimination and violence as a result of COVID-19 being described as the “China Virus.” 

“It is bias, or prejudice based on the way people speak,” said Newcity, visiting professor for the Program in Linguistics. “That can take the form of being directed at particular racial or ethnic communities, but it can also be directed at individuals who speak with a particular accent or dialect.”

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF LINGUISTIC RACISM? 

Linguistic racism can appear in phrases and remarks such as “Where did your family come from;” “You speak English well for someone who looks like you;” and “You don’t sound Black.”   

These statements show that the speaker made an assumption based on a person’s appearance and communicates a difference that alienates someone from colleagues, friends or a community.

In addition, terms like “oriental,” “ghetto” and “illegal alien” are xenophobic statements that broadly and negatively refer to groups of people. 

“Oriental” was tied to Anti-Asian sentiment and expressed Eurocentrism, a worldview that regards Western culture as supreme, Newcity says. He added that “ghetto” dates back to a 16^th-century description of a city section that Jews were restricted to and became a bigoted term for non-white neighborhoods. And “illegal alien” dehumanizes immigrants and compares someone from another country to an invader from another world, according to Paredes, director of the Duke Spanish Language Program and professor of the practice of Romance Studies.

“Linguistic racism can also appear in terms like ‘grandfathered in,’ which is linked to a 19th-century voter suppression tactic that exempted white voters from poll taxes and literacy tests that explicitly suppressed the black vote,” said Baker, professor of cultural anthropology, sociology and African and African American studies. “The meaning of words changes over time, but we need to be mindful, intentional and engaged in anti-racist behavior.”

HOW DOES LINGUISTIC RACISM AFFECT A COMMUNITY?

Linguistic racism creates a feeling of separation, shame, depression and self-doubt because it expresses a false belief that one culture, race or identity is superior. 

“Language is pervasive,” Paredes said. “We don't question the language we use, and we are not even aware of how we use it. People use language to separate themselves from others, to categorize communities negatively and exert power. To undermine speakers because of their accent, or because of their language, or their bilingualism is linguistic discrimination."

WHAT IS INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE? 

Inclusive language encompasses words and phrases that treat everyone equally and create a sense of belonging, said Hewitt, vice president for institutional equity at Duke. Inclusive language respects people of different genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, disabilities and other identities. 

Examples of inclusive language include:

• Using the term “humankind” instead of “mankind.” Mankind excludes anyone who does not identify as a man. 
• Emphasizing what a person with a disability can do, rather than what they can’t. Say “a person who uses crutches” instead of “crippled person.”
• Using “transgender” for people whose gender identity differs from a sex assigned at birth instead of “transsexual.”

“To create an environment that supports innovation and excellence, it is essential that all members of our community feel respected. Using inclusive language is one key ingredient to accomplish this goal,” Hewitt said. “Inclusive language is being thoughtful about the words you’re going to use so we make people feel recognized, honored and welcome no matter their lived experiences.”

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