Lan- guage De- Coded Canadian Inclusive Language Glossary The Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation would like to honour and acknowledgeTreaty aknoledgment all that reside on the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy. This includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We further acknowledge that we are also home to many Métis communities and Region 3 of the Métis Nation. We conclude with honoring the city of Calgary’s Indigenous roots, traditionally known as “Moh’Kinsstis”. i Contents Introduction - The purpose Themes - Stigmatizing and power of language. terminology, gender inclusive 01 02 pronouns, person first language, correct terminology. -ISMS Ableism - discrimination in 03 03 favour of able-bodied people. Ageism - discrimination on Heterosexism - discrimination the basis of a person’s age. in favour of opposite-sex 06 08 sexuality and relationships. Racism - discrimination directed Classism - discrimination against against someone of a different or in favour of people belonging 10 race based on the belief that 14 to a particular social class. one’s own race is superior. Sexism - discrimination Acknowledgements 14 on the basis of sex. 17 ii Language is one of the most powerful tools that keeps us connected with one another. iii Introduction The words that we use open up a world of possibility and opportunity, one that allows us to express, share, and educate. Like many other things, language evolves over time, but sometimes this fluidity can also lead to miscommunication. This project was started by a group of diverse individuals that share a passion for inclusion and justice. We wanted to develop a resource that reflects the growth of our society and represents all of our unique community members. Words have the ability to shape how we see the world and each other, therefore it is important to create conversations everyone feels welcome to be a part of. This glossary is intended to empower anyone who reads it. It symbolizes the stories of all of the people, experiences, and perspectives that exist, and encourages us to be more mindful of how we choose to convey ourselves. By opening up to new ways of understanding the world, we become strengthened through unity. Adopting an inclusive vocabulary promotes others to accept, embrace, and celebrate our differences, and acts as a catalyst for more meaningful changes to take place. This tool was envisioned to be used as a guide that provides valuable history and context, and was not produced to shame, belittle, or otherwise dictate one’s self-expression. Due to its ever-changing nature, language selection will rarely be a black or white issue. However, we are certain that with the right awareness, intentions, and alternatives, that we can all engage in discussions that treat others with respect and dignity. While the knowledge contained within this glossary encompasses many topics, we also recognize that there may be additional words or phrases missing from our list. Please use this as a prompt for further discussion within your own lives about the intricate and multifaceted power of language, and how we can all work together to generate positive change. 1 Themes This document explores issues that impact an array of individuals and community members. It touches on important themes that span across multiple populations, many of which are rooted in power imbalance or differences. Unfortunately, many of the words that we commonly use to describe or depict other people are innately harmful. Our tendency to label others by characteristics that are only a small part of their identity often results in stereotypes, myths, and biases that influence how they are treated. It is human nature to categorize or compartmentalize other people as a way of understanding their place in our world; however, when we reduce someone to a few minor traits, we prevent ourselves from seeing the whole person and all of their capabilities as an individual. With this in mind, we must also recognize that our interactions do not exist in isolation. Each of the conversations we engage in occur under layers of context, whether that be cultural, professional, educational, etc. Ultimately, we should be careful to use our words as tools to communicate—not weapons. Language is a fluid construct, and we should acknowledge that our conversations will always adapt depending on the environment we find ourselves in and the people around us. Gender inclusive language and pronouns: Stigmatizing terminology: Stigma is fundamentally Contemporary scientific evidence tells us that sex and another word that describes a sense of shame. gender are much more complex than we previously Stigmatizing words or phrases often carry negative thought; sex embodies the physical and gender connotations about someone that has been determined encompasses the psychological. This has prompted to be part of a particular group. The use of this many individuals to feel more open expressing their terminology dehumanizes people on the receiving gender beyond the traditional binary. As we enter end, attributing them and/or the characteristics this new territory, we can be respectful to others by always asking and honouring preferred pronouns, and they possess as being less valuable. There is always refraining from making gender-based assumptions. an alternative to using stigmatizing language. Person first language: The notion of person Correct terminology: While it may sometimes be first language comes from the recognition that difficult to identify when words are interpreted as people are not defined by their circumstances. For painful or offensive, it is important for us to listen, example, calling someone a “person with” a trait vs. learn, and do our best to use correct and appropriate labelling them by their trait is a small shift that helps terminology. Our world is home to many co-existing, to avoid erasing their agency as an individual. overlapping, and unique identities, and using correct terminology prevents miscommunication by allowing us to respect each other’s differences in a positive way. This project was made in partnership with distinct organizations that are experts in the fields that they have made contributions to. Each of these entities are respectively dedicated to promoting social justice and inclusion for all. 2 -ISMS -ISMS -ISMS -ISMS -ISMS ABLEISM : discrimination in favour of able- bodied people. Addict / Crackhead / Druggie / Junkie Anorexic / Eating disorder The use of these words reduces an individual “Eat a sandwich.” “She is so skinny.” to their drug use, and trivializes the medical “It’s disgusting to look at her.” condition of an addiction. However, some Anorexia is a psychological disorder, marked by individuals may self-identify with this label. starving oneself. It is inappropriate because some Alternatives: Person (living) with an addiction, people are naturally thin and cannot gain weight. Substance use or misuse (depending on context) Using this word in a negative manner towards Basket case another person is inappropriate. “Go do your work, don’t be such a basket case.” Bipolar The origin of Basket Case goes back to World “The weather is so bipolar today.” War I. It was originally a slang indicating a soldier who had lost all four limbs, thus making Bipolar refers to someone who has a type of manic- them unable to move independently. depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in moods that occur for weeks that can Alternatives: Useless, Annoying, Lazy ruin people’s lives. Being bipolar isn’t as simple as having a tiny mood swing throughout a day. Cancer “That video gave me cancer.” Alternatives: Erratic, Unreasonable, Back-and-forth, Random, Indecisive, Moody, Scattered, Inconsistent Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to Commit invade or spread to other parts of the body. “He committed suicide.” Using this word to describe things you hate doesn’t make We most often use the word “commit” when it comes sense. An alternative use words that actually make sense. to the act of carrying out a crime. The act of suicide is now widely known to be the result of mental illness. Crazy / Cray / Mental / Mental Case Suicide is associated with unsuccessful treatments, / Moron / Manic / Maniac / Psycho/ not enough treatment, and hopelessness. Families Psychotic / Looney / Looney Bin / Lunatic of people who have died by suicide most often face Using these terms views people as their disability. stigma. The person who has died by suicide is not These terms can be condescending and group often remembered for how they lived but rather how people into one undifferentiated category. they died. In order to shatter the stigma surrounding suicide, we must change how we speak of it. They do not reflect the individuality, equality, or dignity of people with disabilities. Alternative : Died by suicide Alternatives: Absurd, Illogical, Irrational, Cripple / Crippled Intense, Misleading, Not making sense, Not Cripple refers to someone with a thinking, Naive, Mistaken, Confused, Misled, physical or mobility impairment. Misinformed, Uninformed, Ignorant Alternatives: Physically challenged, Mobility Depressed impaired, Differently-abled. This word’s “I can’t believe I got a bad grade on shortened form, “crip” is reclaimed by some that test, I’m so depressed.” people with disabilities as a positive identity. Depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes Derp or Herp derp severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and This may seem like a quirky phrase, but even before its handle daily activities. Depression is not just a passing inception as an internet meme, it has been consistently sadness where you feel a little down. Turning a serious used to mock people with intellectual disabilities. illness into something light rather than something that can end one’s life can have serious consequences. Alternative : Use words that actually make sense. Alternatives: Upset, Sad, Blue, Disappointed, Melancholy 4 Dumb Handicapped / The Blind / Deaf “He’s so dumb, I don’t want him on my team.” Using these terms views people in terms of their disability.