Inclusive Language
Inclusive Language Defined
In recent years, editors and writers have begun paying particular attention to terminology that may cause unintentional harm to their audience. This focus has developed into what is known known as inclusive language.
Particularly, inclusive language focuses on ensuring respectful and equitable representation of equity-deserving communities when writing and editing text. This means adhering to best practices and ever-evolving terminology.
Closely related, conscious language focuses on choosing terminology intentionally. Coined by Karen Yin, creator of the Conscious Style Guide, conscious language is “language that is rooted in critical thinking and compassion, used skillfully in a specific context.”
Although inclusive language has many benefits, it can be summed up in four main points namely
- avoiding the unintentional use of outdated, harmful, and/or dehumanizing terminology,
- avoiding the use of harmful stereotypes and tropes,
- deconstructing unconscious/implicit biases, and
- fostering a sense of inclusion and equity.
Inclusive Language Background
My experience and training in inclusive/conscious language are part of my wider training in disability consulting and accessibility plain language, and inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work.
You may be wondering why I chose this particular path.
Well, a detailed response would require several hours of conversation! However, briefly, I can say that my main reason, apart from several years of experience in developing IDEA/EDI policies and events, is my personal lived experience.
Specifically, I grew up multilingual in various geographical locations and, to this day, very much enjoy the nuances and evolution of language and terminology. In addition, as a member of several equity-deserving communities myself, I understand that language is never neutral and carefully consider style choices when editing and writing. You can read some of my work on editing disability-affirming language, 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming language, style choices in non-English words, and multilingualism on various Canadian editing blogs.
For this reason, I will treat your manuscript or document with empathy and care, while offering suggestions based on inclusive language principles and best practices. This will ensure that your audience has the best possible experience when reading your work.
Finally, please note that while I offer an overall language overview, my specializations are disability, queerness, immigration, and the intersections of disability and queerness.
Questions or comments? Please do not hesitate to reach out anytime to discuss your project, my editor background, or to ask for further clarification! I look forward to connecting! – Natalia
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Education
IDEA Certificates
- Editing Certificate – Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia
- Plain Language Certificate – Simon Fraser University. Burnaby, British Columbia
IDEA Editing-Specific Certificates
- Editing for Conscious and Inclusive Language Certificate – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) – 2024
- How to Host Accessible Events Certificate – Accessibility Services Canada – 2023
- Basics of Inclusive Design for Online Education – Coursera: University of Colorado Boulder – 2023
- An Introduction to Accessibility and Inclusive Design – Coursera: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – 2023
- Disability Awareness and Support – Coursera: University of Pittsburgh – 2023
- Introduction to Gender-Based Analysis+ Certificate – Government of Canada: Department of Women and Gender Equity – 2022
- Indigenous Canada Certificate. Coursera: The University of Alberta – 2022
IDEA Editing-Specific Webinars
- Decolonizing Editing – Editors Canada/Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) (Amber Riaz) 2025
- Editorial Tools to Counter Sexism and Transphobia – Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) (Alex Kapitan) 2025
- Beyond the Gender Binary: Editing for More Inclusive Fiction – Editors Canada (Tanya Gold and Eliot West) 2025
- Gender-Inclusive Editing: Becoming a Radical Editor – Editors Toronto (Alex Kapitan) 2022
- Editing Slurs in Dialogue – Editors Kingston (Louise Harby) 2024
- Anti-Islamophobia Editing: Using Inclusive Language and Plain Language to Counter Hate Speech – Editors Canada (Amber Riaz) 2024
- Tackling Antisemitism in Fiction – Editors Canada (Molly Rookwood) 2024
- Some of the Things You Wanted to Know about Alt Text – Editors Canada (Amber Riaz) 2023
- Intermediate Alt Text – Editors Canada (Allison Peacock) 2025
- An Editor’s Guide to Assessing and Addressing Problematic Content – ACES: The Society for Editing (Crystal Shelley) 2023
- Tips for Editing Genres That Include Violence, Suicide and Mental Illness – ACES: The Society for Editing (Karin Cather) 2023
- Editing Indigenous Content: The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity and Respect – Editors Toronto (Kaitlin Littlechild) 2022
- Balancing Cultural Sensitivity with Craft – Editors Toronto (Sangeeta Netha) 2021
- Trauma-Informed Editing – Editors Transform: Editors Canada Conference (Iva Cheung) 2021
- Microaggressions in Editing: Understanding Bias and Undoing Harm – ACES:The Society for Editing (Crystal Shelley) 2021
IDEA Training
- Celebrating and Elevating 2SLGBTQIA Communities – Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) 2023
- Queer 101 Training – OUTReach Southern Alberta 2023
- Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression – Bakau Consulting 2023
- Disrupting Unconscious Bias – Bakau Consulting 2022
- All the T: Gender Within the 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities – CCDI 2022
- Reconciling Identity: A Discussion about Two-Spirit People Within the LGBTTQ2+ Communities – CCDI 2022
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fundamentals – CCDI 2022
- Evolution of DEI Language – CCDI 2022
- The Intersections of Identity: A Discussion About the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, Sexuality, and Gender – CCDI 2022
- Microagressions and Microinterventions: The Macro of the Micro – CCDI 2022
- How Workplaces Can Respond to Tragic News and Events: A Panel – CCDI 2022
- Diversity and Inclusion 101: Practice Initiative You Can Start Today – CCDI 2021
- Intersectionality in the Workplace – CCDI 2021
- Creating Effective D&I Councils and Committees – CCDI 2021
- Indigenous Inclusion 2.0 – CCDI 2021
Inclusive Language Services
- Please note that all my editing services include general inclusive language feedback and suggestions.
- Choosing the Inclusive Language Review or the Inclusive Language Style Guide Development option specifically ensures a detailed focus on inclusive language, as well as a separate and detailed feedback report.
- While I offer a broad inclusive language overview, my specializations are disability, queerness, immigration, and the intersections of disability and queerness.
- Finally, rates depend on project requirements. Please contact me to discuss your project needs.
Option 1: Inclusive Language Review
This review includes
- an email discussion of your project specifics and needs,
- a thorough inclusive language review, and
- a follow up email discussion regarding any clarifications or questions.
At our agreed upon due date, I will provide
- a reviewed document (either a Microsoft Word document with “Track Changes” and comments or a Google document with “Suggested” edits and comments),
- a clean Microsoft Word or Google document,
- a summary of my editing and inclusive language suggestions,
- a list of recommended inclusive language resources, and
- a style sheet of the review.
Option 2: Inclusive Style Guide Development
I will create an inclusive language style guide for you or your organization to follow. This will be a “living document,” which can be edited over the years, as terminology evolves.
At our agreed upon due date, I will provide
- an extensive inclusive language style guide in the form of a Microsoft Word document or a Google document and
- an extensive list of inclusive language resources.
Inclusive Language Terms and Conditions
- All prices are quotes in CAD.
- Upon receipt of documents, a contract will be sent to the Client, which must be signed prior to commencing work.
- This contract will establish scope of work, expectations, and timelines.
- A 50% deposit must be sent via e-transfer or PayPal prior to the Editor commencing work.
- The remaining 50% will be due within 10 days of completed work and receipt of Editor invoice.
