The deliberate selection of vocabulary which avoids the inadvertently or implicit exclusion of particular groups.
the attempt to find forms of religious expression which are not biased in favor of a particualr gender group. Some churches favor an Inclusive Lectionary, and some have altered prayers and hymns so that gender-restrictive images and pronouns are removed: "Our God who art in heaven..."
The use of language in such a way that no group of people is ignored, insulted, or condescended to. It is an answer to sexist, racist, and classist language.
The spoken, signed and/or written code used for communication among a group of people. The language and culture of a group of people determines the way the individuals behave, communicate and think. The deliberate selection of vocabulary that avoids both the inadvertent or implicit exclusion of particular groups.
Spoken and written language that intentionally avoids word use that is needlessly gender-specific or exclusive.
The use of gender non-specific language (i.e. "Partner" instead of "husband") in the patient interview, clinic intake forms, education materials and public health campaigns to avoid assumptions which limit the information available to clinicians and to enhance the accessibility of services to women who partner with women or men who partner with men.
The deliberate selection of vocabulary that avoids accidental of implicit exclusion of particular groups and that avoids the use of false generic terms, usually with references to gender.
