New guidelines that Oxfam employees received about inclusive language use are causing a stir. For example, they should stop using the words ‘mother’ and ‘father’ in the context of transgender and LGBTQ+ topics. But terms such as ‘headquarters’ (too colonial), ‘youth’ (not respectful enough), black market (use rather informal economy) and ‘feminine hygiene products’ (too stigmatizing) also fall short. The organization that fights against hunger in the world emphasizes that the advice is certainly not binding.
The manual consists of 92 pages. The introduction immediately apologizes for using English, “the language of a colonizing nation”. Then follows a whole laundry list of words or expressions that should be avoided. Two or three cases are dealt with per page, along with an explanation of what exactly is wrong with it.
For example, it is better to use ‘older’ instead of mother or father, so as not to offend transgender people. “But if they have a specific preference for either, their choice may of course be respected.”
An ‘expecting mother’? Preferably not because this makes it seem that the woman wants to complete the pregnancy anyway. A pregnant lady sounds much better then. And if you want it all inclusive: ‘people who can become pregnant’.
The use of the word ‘people’ is also not entirely kosher according to the manual. “It is a neutral term, but in a world where patriarchal systems prevail, we notice that it mainly refers to men. Therefore, try to describe the group in question as specifically as possible.”
Oxfam
@oxfamgb
A few more to unlearn: say sex worker instead of prostitute and ‘migration as a complex phenomenon’ instead of migration crisis. The word “headquarters” should never be used because it means one office is more important than the others. “In the context in which we work, it comes across as very colonial.”
These recommendations are mainly intended for internal use and do not have to be followed. “They are merely a guideline for how to communicate respectfully as an author with the diverse range of people we work with. We pride ourselves on inclusive language. We will not overcome the problem of poverty by excluding marginalized groups.”
However, the damage was done on social media. A lot of people made it clear that they no longer put up with this “woke madness”. “They will never see my money at Oxfam again,” was the general tenor.
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