Language
From Humane Earth
Language is the words people speak, write, and sign. It is the way people use words together to mean something.
Humane language is inclusive in that all people understand it and feel respected when it is used.
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[edit] Sustainable
[edit] Inclusive
Inclusive language makes all people feel welcome. It can be used and understood by all people. It lets all people know we respect them. This includes when people speak, write, and sign language.
Language has effects on the quality of a democracy. Governments must use language that people understand. Newspapers must use language that people understand. They must make people feel respected.
If not, people can't or won't add to society in a productive way.
[edit] Plain language
Language should be "plain." This means it uses everyday words. It uses short, simple sentences.
Most Americans read at an 8th-grade level or lower. People in other countries have higher abilities. But the problems are the same.
If language is not plain, people can't understand it. It makes people feel stupid. It turns people away.
[edit] Respectful language
The way we talk about people has effects on whether they feel included. We should talk in a way that lets people know we respect them.
For example, in North America, different people want to be called Native Americans, Indians, First Nations, Eskimos, Inuits, the names of tribes or other ethnic groups, or other names. We should let people decide what words we use to describe them.
[edit] Safe
[edit] Cruelty-Free
[edit] Other
[edit] Examples
[edit] Notes
[edit] Related subjects
Read also the project page on plain language.
