Why do we need Inclusive Language?
The University of South Australia has a diverse population. Students, staff and visitors come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring with them valuable experiences and knowledge. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to ensure people are welcomed and included.
Over the past few decades Inclusive Language practices have been developed and incorporated into the Australian Society. The information provided on this website is designed to give staff and students guidance on ensuring their written and verbal language and communication are inclusive and do not breach UniSA policies and procedures, or contradict State or Federal law.
Language is one of the most powerful tools people have. It can elevate or deflate a person in a matter of seconds and can make you sound informed or ignorant just as quickly. Diversity is one of the greatest aspects of Australia and the University. People with different backgrounds are what makes UniSA vibrant. Diversity is also fragile. It is too easy to communicate in a way that causes people to feel unwelcome and disrespected. The costs of this include:
- Valued members of the UniSA community leave due to discomfort
- The reputations of Schools/Institutes or the University as a whole are damaged
- A complaint is made against a member of the UniSA community
- An assignment is failed due to inappropriate language.
Inclusive Language is not about pretending people are all the same. People who have a disability have a disability; women are women; a person from China is from China. Inclusive language is about ensuring the differences are not used to deliberately exclude or discriminate against people or groups of people. Differences are important, but putting a negative connotation on those differences is unnecessary, hurtful and may be illegal and/or against University policy.
What does inclusive language mean?
Non-Inclusive language and education.