Non-Discriminatory
LANGUAGE GUIDELINES
for staff and students
1. Using Gender Inclusive Language
1.1 Generic terms for men and women
Man as a generic term excludes women e.g. chairman. Find words
that include both sexes. For example:
| Instead of |
Use |
| Chairman |
Chairperson/Chair/Convenor/Co-ordinator |
| (to) man |
(to) staff/operate/attend |
1.2 Inclusive personal pronouns
Find ways of using pronouns that refer to both men and women. For
example:
| Instead of |
Use |
| Each Dean will determine his schools timetable |
Deans will determine School timetables |
| When a student enrols he must.... |
When a student enrols they/he or she must.... |
1.3 Words of equal status
Many common terms can demean or patronise women. For example, referring
to them as 'dear', 'love' or 'sweetie'.
| Instead of |
Use |
| Ask the ladies in the office |
Ask the staff in the office |
1.4 Titles of address
Use first name, neutral role description, academic title or no title. Where
titles are appropriate, try to use parallel titles. For example:
| Instead of |
Use |
| John Brown and his wife |
John and Jane Brown |
| Dear Sir |
Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Madam or Sir |
1.5 Sex role stereotyping
Avoid terms which stereotype women or men. For example:
| Instead of |
Use |
| Air hostess |
Flight attendant |
| Mother of four appointed Programme Chair of Mineral Science |
A woman has been appointed .... |
| Staff and their wives |
Staff and their partners |
1.6 Compliments and put downs
Many so-called compliments to women are likely to be seen as put-downs.
For example:
'You think just like a man'
'You are very feminine for a career woman'
Expressions such as 'he behaved like an old woman',
'he plays like a girl' are belittling and insulting to women.
1.7 Sexist humour
Humour used to trivialise gender issues is sexist and devalues their importance.
For example:
'I wish some woman would sexually harass me!'
2. Using Culturally Inclusive
Language
In Australia there are over 200 different language groups. Immigrants
and other minorities will tend to be ignored or be portrayed in stereotyped terms. The University does
not tolerate racially-based name calling as it is a form of racial harassment. Some key points are:
-
Avoid referring to the ethnic and racial background of a person or group
unless for a valid reason.
-
The term 'Asians' is used inappropriately to refer to people from diverse
countries with different cultures, such as China, Japan, India.
-
Avoid inappropriate generalisations about ethnicity and religion e.g.
not all Muslims are Arabic or Turkish.
-
Specify a person's ethnicity, use a qualifying adjective, such as 'Jewish
Australians'.
-
Avoid physical features to describe people e.g. 'slanted eyes'.
-
Avoid talking about different cultural practices out of context.
3. Using Language Inclusive of Indigenous People
Indigenous Australian cultures and experiences are diverse across Australia.
The cultural context will often determine whether any usage is offensive. Some key points are:
-
Always use capital 'A' for Aboriginal, lower case if insulting and derogatory.
-
Never shorten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by using
ATSI or ABL for Aboriginal.
-
Never hyphenate the word Aboriginal ('Abo-riginal').
-
Inappropriate and offensive terms include 'part-Aborigine', 'full-blood',
'half-caste' and 'Abo'. Always use
Aboriginal people, Indigenous peoples or Torres Strait Islander people.
4. Using Language Inclusive of People with Disabilities
and Medical Conditions
People with disabilities don't want to be pitied, feared or ignored, or
seen as heroic or special. If possible, find out how the individual refers to her or his disability.
Avoid terms that define the disability as a limitation e.g. confined to
a wheelchair.
| Instead of |
Use |
| the disabled |
people with disabilities |
| disabled toilet |
accessible toilet |
| the visually impaired |
person with a vision impairment |
| the mentally handicapped |
person with an intellectual disability |
| the mentally ill |
person with a mental illness/psychiatric disabiltiy |
| victim of AIDS or AIDS sufferer |
person with AIDS/person who is HIV positive, person living with AIDS or HIV |
5. Using Language Inclusive of Sexual Preference
Staff and students at Murdoch have a variety of lifestyles based on different
sexual orientations. Language and visual representation at Murdoch should reflect that people are heterosexual,
homosexual, bisexual or transgender.
Unacceptable terms are 'poofter', 'lezzo', 'faggot'. 'Gay' for men
and 'lesbian' for women is generally accepted.
6. Using Language Inclusive of All Ages
Language should reflect that both young and older people are independent
and contribute to society.
-
Staff need to be aware students are all ages and not refer to them as
'kids'.
-
Terms like 'pensioners' and 'geriatric' are negative stereotypes. Pensioner
is used as a technical term.
-
Suitable terms include 'older people', 'seniors' and 'mature ages'.
7. A Note on Teaching and Promotional Material
As a guide ensure all teaching and promotional material is inclusive of
gender and cultural diversity.
8. Students and Assignments
Please use this booklet as a guide when preparing assignments.
9. Who to Contact
For further information on discrimination and harassment grievance procedures
please contact the Equal Opportunity Section on 9360 2639.
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