The words we choose are the building blocks and the glue that hold our diverse teams together. Language not only has the power to build bridges and increase understanding, but also the capability to alienate and dismiss.
At Atlassian, our diverse teams build tools for an equally diverse audience, and we strive to use inclusive language in all we do. We know that, as a society, we are always evolving and the language we use must also evolve. This influences how we build things and how we communicate ā both internally and externally. We encourage ourselves to seek first to understand the impact of our words, intentional or unintentional, and we diligently reexamine our word choices as we all learn and grow.
Inclusive language is language thatĀ is free from words, phrases, or tones that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped, or discriminatory views of particular people or groups. Even when a remark or action based on a stereotype is not based on a conscious prejudice, it can still be hurtful and cause harm or damage to the person on the receiving end.
When we think about inclusivity, we champion āpeople-first languageā. This means that we keep the individual as the most important part of the sentiment and donāt concentrate on characteristics like gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial group, or ability unless it's relevant to the discussion.
Some of this is new or can be confusing, so if you arenāt sure, ask.Ā Strive to include language that reflects peoplesā choice and style in how they talk about themselves.
This is a checklist/set of questions and then examples.
In using inclusive language, it is useful to keep the following generic questions in mind:
Do you need to refer to personal characteristics such as sex, religion, racial group, disability, or age at all?
Are the references to group characteristics couched in inclusive terms?
Do the references to people reflect the diversity of that audience?
Is your use of jargon and acronyms (J&Aās) excluding people who may not have specialized knowledge of a particular subject?
Inclusive language does not mean cumbersome, dull, or vague language; it simply means language that has been carefully constructed in ways that treat all people with respect and impartiality.
We are a diverse company with individuals from all over the world, delivering software for teams all over the world. Even though we may be a multicultural company, the cultural beliefs, values, and traditions that are centered and dominant in societyās structures and practices can find themselves creeping into our lives. Sometimes we use language that unintentionally excludes or diminishes.
Donāt use terms or phrases that have religious origins.
Donāt use expressions that ignore the history and achievements of any culture.
Avoid using language where the cultural beliefs, values, and traditions are centered on the dominant culture or that perpetuates a āthem and usā mentality.
Donāt
"Minorities"
Do
"Underrepresented groups"
Reasoning: When referencing as a group of āothersā It implies that a group is a lesser part of the whole and gives the power to the āmajorityā.
Donāt
"Sacred cow"
Do
"Off-limits"
Reasoning: Culturally insensitive references to sacred practices, rituals, or beliefs.
Donāt
"Spirit animal"
Do
"What animal do you identify with the most?" or "What animal is your kindred spirit?"
Reasoning: Culturally insensitive references to sacred practices, rituals, or beliefs.
Donāt
"Christian name"
Do
āFirst nameā or āfull nameā depending on the situation
Reasoning: Itās exclusive and biased.
Donāt
"Citizens"
Do
"The public"
Reasoning: When referencing all people in a country. This excludes people who are living in a country, who are not citizens, such as refugees and visa holders.
Avoid emphasis on differences between any groups of people
Avoid stereotyping or positive/negative generalizations
Avoid promotion of ethnic or racial invisibility
Donāt
āflesh-coloredā or āneutralā
Do
Using a color name like ābeigeā or ācreamā
Reasoning: When referencing beige or lighter colors. It implies that beige is the only flesh color.
Donāt
āBlackā or āwhiteā
Do
Use more direct language. For example āallowlistā and āblocklistā instead of āwhitelistā and āblacklistā.
Reasoning: When referring to positive or negative or good or bad things. It implies their one is better than the other.
Donāt
"Itās not that black and whiteā
Do
āItās not that clearā
Reasoning: It reinforces the concept that black and white are opposed and one is good and the other evil.
Donāt
"master"
Do
"primary/replica" or "primary/client"
Reasoning: References slavery.
Donāt
The term grandfather or grandfathered
Do
ālegacy"
Reasoning: The term āgrandfather clauseā originated in the American South in the 1890s as a way to defy the 15th Amendment and prevent black Americans from voting. Itās also kinda ageist.
Donāt
āCall a spade a spadeā
Do
"Tell it like it is"
Reasoning: Disparaging of a particular race or ethnicity.
Donāt
"Chinese firedrill"
Do
"circus" or "goat rodeo" (also potentially insensitive to goats)
Reasoning: Disparaging of a particular race or ethnicity.
Donāt
"Chinese whispers"
Do
"a game of telephone"or āa game of whispersā
Reasoning: Disparaging of a particular race or ethnicity.
Donāt
āGypā
Do
"Cheat"
Reasoning: Disparaging of a particular race or ethnicity.
Donāt
āCircle the wagonsā
Do
Get our act together
Reasoning: Insensitive to Native Americans.
Donāt
āHold down the fortā
Do
āKeep the lights onā
Reasoning: Insensitive to Native Americans.
Donāt
āPow-wowā
Do
"huddle", "meet up", or "meeting of the minds" (when used as a noun)
Reasoning: Insensitive to Native Americans.
Donāt
"Off the reservation"
Do
"Off the deep end"
Reasoning: Insensitive to Native Americans.
Only mention disabilities when itās relevant. If youāve designed a feature specifically for people who are blind, great, but avoid just throwing it into your text when itās not relevant.
Focus on the person rather than a disability.
Avoid suggesting victimhood.
Donāt
"A deaf person"
Do
"A person who is deaf"
Reasoning: Describing an attribute and not the person. Please note that this isn't universal. Some communities embrace different practices. See: https://deafaustralia.org.au/
Donāt
āafflicted byā āsuffers fromā
Do
āhasā or ask why you are referencing the condition at all.
Reasoning: Frames the person as a victim and helpless.
Donāt
"special"
Do
Just donāt use it.
Reasoning: Term has been used historically to segregate people with disabilities.
Donāt
āCrazyā, āOCDā, āADDā, āSpazā, āLameā, ābipolarā as emphasis, or to exaggerate.
Do
Wild, hectic, intense, out of hand
Reasoning: Some of these are derogatory, some refer to specific conditions, either way, they are not terms to be used for āeffectā.
Donāt
"until the fat lady sings"
Do
"it ain't over until it's over" or "it ain't over 'till the credits roll"
Reasoning: Insensitive language, - fat-shaming.
Donāt
"handicapped" or "differently-abled"
Do
āPeople with disabilitiesā
Reasoning: Term has been used historically to segregate people with disabilities.
Donāt
āabnormalā
Do
ātypicalā or āatypicalā
Reasoning: Term has been used historically to segregate people with disabilities.
Donāt
"retarded" (as a synonym for "stupid", etc.)
Do
"ridiculous", "laughable", "absurd", "wrong"... too many viable alternatives to list them all!
Reasoning: Term has been used historically to segregate people with disabilities.
This might seem a bit hypocritical for us to talk about when we have a company value of āDonāt F%$& the customerā but we have to consider the impact of our words. This value uses swearing for emphasis, but youāll rightly see Atlassian's refer to this in conversation with terms like āDonāt F%$& the customerā when they suspect that it might cause offense.
As we are adults and are often talking to other adults, it can be tempting to add jokes or innuendo of a sexual nature, in the name of āwinkā.
Donāt use sexual references. Ever.
Avoid profanity.
Love and romance are fine but stay out of the bedroom.
Donāt
āWhile impressive, your diff is just too bigā - actual Atlassian error message at one point
Do
āThe diff is too bigā followed by what the user can do about it
Reasoning: Sexual innuendo, and presumptions about the reader.
Donāt
"moneyshot"
Do
"punchline", "zinger", or "piece de resistance"
Reasoning: While some terms may not have origins in offensive language, they have been co-opted over the years and itās best practice to avoid.
Donāt
"nut it out"
Do
"power through" or "puzzle it out"
Reasoning: While some terms may not have origins in offensive language, they have been co-opted over the years and itās best practice to avoid.
Donāt
āballs outā or "balls to the wall"
Do
āall outā, āfull tiltā, āall inā ā110%ā
Reasoning: While some terms may not have origins in offensive language, they have been co-opted over the years and itās best practice to avoid.
Donāt
āBuggerā
Do
"sucker" or "bad boy" or "thingy"
Reasoning: It references a sexual act.
Use gender neutral language.
Reduce unnecessary or irrelevant references to personal characteristics based on gender and male-related terms.
Avoid referencing a personās gender except where it is pertinent to the discussion.
Donāt use language that privileges men and renders women invisible or inferior.
Donāt
"him" or "her"
Do
"they" (yes: it's acceptable even when referring to one person) Unless the recipient has specified a preference.
Reasoning: Not gender neutral.
Donāt
"guys"
Do
"people", "folks", "teammates", "y'all"
Reasoning: Not gender neutral, renders women invisible.
Donāt
"*-man" (e.g., chairman)
Do
"chair", "moderator", "firefighter", "police officer", "mail carrier",Ā etc.
Reasoning: Not gender neutral, renders women invisible.
Donāt
āmankindā
Do
āpeopleā or āhumanityā
Reasoning: Not gender neutral, renders women invisible.
Donāt
"ninja" or "rockstar"
Do
advertise job openings with neutral, straightforward titles, such as āEngineerā or āAssociate,ā
Reasoning: Semi-gendered - studies have shown that (specifically in job descriptions) women are less likely to apply when these types of descriptors are used (also ācompetitiveā or ādeterminedā). Conversely, ācooperativeā and ācollaborativeā tend to attract more women and turn away men.
Donāt
āmanpowerā
Do
"workforce"
Reasoning: Not gender neutral renders women invisible.
Donāt
"open the kimono"
Do
"pull back the curtain" or āshed lightā
Reasoning: Sexualizes women.
Donāt
"girl" or "girls"
Do
"woman" / "women"Ā (when referring to someone 18 or older)
Reasoning: Belittles women, places them in a position of inferiority.
Donāt
"until the fat lady sings"
Do
"it ain't over until it's over" or "it ain't over 'till the credits roll"
Reasoning: Insensitive.
Avoid language that reinforces the assumption that all personal relationships are heterosexual and denies the reality of same-sex relationships.
Avoid stereotyping LGBTIQ people. Placing limitations or expectations on people because they belong to a certain group is damaging, hurtful, and discriminatory.
Avoid phrases that disparage or trivialize the diversity of LGBTIQ people.
Donāt
āwife/husbandā or āgirlfriend/boyfriendā
Do
āspouseā or āpartnerā
Reasoning: Reinforces the assumption that all relationships are heterosexual, and renders same-sex relationships invisible.
Donāt
āfagā, ādykeā, āqueerā, āpooftaā and ātrannyā
Do
āgayā, ālesbianā, ābisexualā and ātransgenderā
Reasoning: These terms are derogatory when used by people outside the LGBTIQ community.
Donāt
"gay" as a negative characteristic
Do
Why be negative in the first place?
Reasoning: Itās homophobic.
Ageist language relies on stereotyping individuals based on the perceived characteristics of a group. It de-emphasizes the individual - there is more to each of us than our descriptors.
Inclusive language should be sensitive to the entire age range. Terms such as āolderā and āyoungerā are relative and should be used with clarity and in context.
Use more neutral terms that arenāt definitive such as āolder peopleā, āyouthā or āyoung peopleā.
Avoid terms that limit and categorize. Instead, choose terms such as older adults, aging population, or mention the person's relative age or relationship to the other people instead.
Avoid any stereotyping or connotation that a particular age group is more or less able, or has stereotypical characteristics by virtue of chronological age alone. Avoid using expressions such as āa young and vibrant'.
Donāt
Seniors, elderly, old-folks, senior citizens
Do
Older adults, older person, aging adult
Reasoning: Terms have connotations.
Donāt
ā80-years youngā
Do
Explicitly say the age ā unless this is something they are uncomfortable with
Reasoning: Implies that being young is preferable.
Donāt
āYoung and vibrantā
Do
"Energetic, lively"
Reasoning: Implies that being young is preferable.
People can make negative and positive assumptions based on where someone lives and their perceived economic status. These assumptions can in turn lead to harmful language based on cultural stereotypes and historic events. Many slang words and idioms can also reference socio-economic status. Remember your own privilege and move away from using classist language.
Inclusive language related to socio-economic status should:
Treat all people fairly, regardless of where theyāre from or what they do
Avoid negative terms based on where someoneās from or what they do
Only be mentioned (without judgment) when relevant to a discussion
Donāt
Bogan or redneck
Do
Just donāt!
Reasoning: A negative term relating to someoneās perceived socio-economic status.
Donāt
Hobo
Do
"Person experiencing poverty"
Reasoning: Makes the experience of homelessness feel like the fault of the person, and defines that person by that single experience.
Donāt
"Sold down the river"
Do
"Thrown under the bus"
Reasoning: American slavery reference.
Donāt
āPeanut galleryā
Do
"the crowd" or "hecklers" or "naysayers"
Reasoning: A nickname for the cheapest and ostensibly rowdiest seats in the theater, the occupants of which were often known to heckle the performers. In America, this was often a negative reference to lower-socio economic classes.
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