Inclusive Language Definition

Inclusive language means speaking in a way that includes and respects everyone, whether that be speaking about their thoughts and feelings, or their experiences. Speaking inclusively is not holding any judgements about a person prior to getting to know them. This is hard to do as many people unconsciously have judgements about people based on their own experiences. It is also easy to unknowingly offend someone by saying something or doing something they do not agree with. The only way someone will know if they have done this is if the person makes a face or says something. Otherwise, it can be hard to know at times. For this reason, people try to speak inclusively in order to avoid any miscommunication or unintentional judgements. Speaking …show more content…
He says some of the goals are to help people become well-rounded and maximize connections. This is his definition of what he thinks it means to have a liberal arts education aside from all of the book work. A liberal arts education is more than what is taught in the classroom. The Whorf Hypothesis also plays a role when looking at how inclusive speech and a liberal arts education relate to one another. Inclusive speech and the Whorf hypothesis both tie into supporting what a liberal arts education’s goals are. Inclusive language furthers the goals of a liberal arts education because it helps people make connections and have more open thoughts. Speaking inclusively helps make connections with others because when people speak inclusively they are not putting their experiences above others’. Instead, people are considering all different experiences, ideas, and thoughts while not making judgements based on theirs. Talking to others without bias helps make connections in many ways. A connection can be started just by someone coming in with …show more content…
The Whorf Hypothesis says, “an individual’s thoughts and actions are determined by the language or languages that individual speaks” (“Ask a Linguist”). This goes to say if people are speaking with inclusivity then their behavior will reflect that. If people are using inclusive language then they will have a more open perception of others. Speaking with a more open attitude will in turn make someone’s thoughts more open. Having more inclusive thoughts will helps others be more willing to connect which supports Cronon’s goals of making connections and being better-rounded. Someone’s overall outlook about someone else will be more positive and inclusive. Not only will the individual be speaking more inclusively, but their thoughts will be that way as well. Just like speaking inclusively helps others’ feel more comfortable, so do more inclusive thoughts. People will not already have a preconceived notion about someone that is wrong and can cause a lot of misunderstanding. This will also help to eliminate judgements, not only when speaking but also when thinking. Some would disagree in saying inclusive speech is a form of prescriptive grammar. Prescriptive grammar is when one group of people tells another what proper speech is. By doing so, they are not promoting the goals of a liberal arts education because they are telling someone how to speak. If people are being told how to speak