Inclusive language
LTS tries to be aware of the needs of all users. This aim should be reflected in the language used in our work.
Gender
When you are referring to an unspecified person do not use 'he' or 'he/she'. The preferred way of dealing with gender-neutral language is to use plurals. For example:
| Sentences to avoid | Replacement sentence |
|---|---|
| 'If a teacher wants to apply for Chartered Teacher status he should…' | 'If teachers want to apply for Chartered Teacher status they should…' |
If the singular must be used it is acceptable to use ‘they’ and ‘their’ rather than 'he or she' and ‘his or hers’. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the sentence:
- 'When a reporter questions the rebels, their credentials are not checked.'
could cause confusion as it is not clear whether ‘they’ refers to the reporter or the rebels. In exceptional circumstances such as this the sentence could be changed to:
- 'When a reporter questions the rebels, his or her credentials are not checked.'
In another exception to the rule, the sentence:
- 'The novel's main character is the reader themself.'
should become:
- 'The novel's main character is the reader himself or herself.'
as there is no such word as ‘themself’.
Words which appear to be gender-specific should also be avoided. The following list gives examples of some of the terms you should avoid and the accepted alternatives.
| Terms to avoid | Accepted terms |
|---|---|
| businessman | business person |
| spokesman | representative |
| manpower | staff or personnel |
| man-made | synthetic |
Race and religion
Wherever relevant, please be specific about race, nationality, culture or religion.
When referring to race or religion there are acceptable and unacceptable terms of use. The examples below indicate terms you should avoid and the accepted alternatives. If you are unsure about using a term which is not listed here please contact a content editor.
| Terms to avoid | Accepted terms |
|---|---|
| Asian | Refer to a specific origin, for example – Pakistani |
| West Indian | Refer to a specific origin, for example – Jamaican |
| Christian name | Forename/first name |
Disability
You should be inclusive in the language you use when referring to disabilities. The examples below indicate terms you should avoid and the accepted alternatives. If you are unsure about using a term which is not listed here please contact a content editor.
| Terms to avoid | Accepted terms |
|---|---|
| Disabled people | People with disabilities |
| Handicapped | Disabled |
| Dumb/mute | People without speech |
| Hard of hearing | Deaf and hearing impaired |
| - | Blind and partially sighted |
Additional support for learning / additional support needs
Describing an individual or group as having ‘additional support needs’ is the accepted way of indicating both short-term disruptions to learning and longer-term needs. Issues covered by this term include (but are not limited to) disability, long-term illness, bereavement, self-harm, and bullying.