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Vice President, Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence
Hanna House
513-529-1715
vpDiversity@MiamiOH.edu
The Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence promotes communication practices that support and contribute to belonging for all members of the Miami community. Inclusive language puts our humanity at the forefront and allows everyone to feel recognized and valued. Learning about and using respectful, identity-affirming language is key to creating a welcoming environment for all members of our community.
In alignment with strategic efforts around inclusive excellence, this Inclusive Language Guide provides best practices and resources for language usage on
This is a living document, and the Miami community is invited to contribute to our inclusive langauge approach. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please email OTIE@MiamiOH.edu.
Grammar is not static, but changes over time. It adapts to, reflects, and perpetuates biases and social constructs present in the culture as it shifts. Many people have been excluded by the rigid and artificial binary representation of gender codified in the English language and have had to find or create alternatives to identify themselves in speech and writing.
Pronouns are words used in substitution for other nouns when readers or listeners already know which noun or nouns are being referenced. Additionally, pronouns are used to provide context, clarify meaning, and shape how people, places, and things are perceived. Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to specific individuals or groups. Personal pronouns include, but are not limited to:
Traditional grammar teaching followed the notion that utilizing singular they, rather than his/her and/or he/she, was grammatically incorrect. This rule has changed in recent years and singular they has not only become more commonly used in written and spoken language, but is now recognized by citation styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago Style) and dictionaries as a grammatically correct, gender-neutral pronoun that can be utilized instead of the traditional usage of he/she or his/her.
Singular they can be used for the purpose of identity. When individuals whose gender is neither male nor female (e.g. nonbinary, agender, genderfluid, etc.) use the singular they to refer to themselves, they are using the language to express their identities. Adopting this language is one way writers can be inclusive of a range of people and identities. When the gender of an individual is not known, the singular they can be used (for example, “The student turned in their paper.”)
Singular they has been used for a long time and is used in most casual situations; you probably do it yourself without realizing it. We are simply witnessing a reorientation of the traditional grammar rule, mostly with the intention of including more people in language.
Instead of “she” or “he,” use “they” when:
Examples of the use of “they”:
Please note that the following is not a comprehensive list of all pronouns used. As language develops, new pronouns continue to emerge. Always ask someone for their pronouns.
Subjective |
Objective |
Possessive |
Reflexive |
Example |
El |
Ellos |
Suyo |
Se |
El is speaking. I listened to ellos. The backpack is suyo. |
Ella |
Ellas |
Suya |
Se |
Ella is speaking. I listened to ellas. The backpack is suyo. |
Elle |
Elles |
Se |
Elle is speaking. I listened to elles. The backpack is se. |
|
Ey |
Em |
Eirs |
Eirself |
Ey is speaking. I listened to em. The backpack is eirs. |
Fae |
Faer |
Faers |
Faerself |
Fae is speaking. I listened to faer. The backpack is faers. |
He |
Him |
His |
Himself |
He is speaking. I listened to him. The backpack is his. |
She |
Her |
Hers |
Herself |
She is speaking. I listened to her, The backpack is hers. |
They |
Them |
Theirs |
Themself |
They are speaking. I listened to them. The backpack is theirs. |
Xe |
Xem |
Xyrs |
Xemself |
Xe is speaking. I listened to xem. The backpack is xyrs. |
Ze |
Hir/Zir |
Hirs/Zirs |
Hirself/Zirself |
Ze is speaking. I listened to hir. The backpack is zirs. |
For more information about pronoun use, please visit any of the following resources:
How we communicate about and to people with disabilities can have a large impact on the creation of a more inclusive campus experience for many members of our community. This can include, but is not limited to, avoiding ableist language, utilizing accessibility practices, and intentionally designing materials and spaces that are accessible.
The terms used for people with disabilities all too frequently perpetuate stereotypes and false ideas. While some words and phrases are commonly used by many, including those with disabilities, usage is likely due to habit rather than intentional meaning. However, conscious thought about what we say, and when we say it, may help to more positively reshape how we communicate about disability in society and on campus.
References:
Ahead: Association on Higher Education and Disability. AHEAD Statement on Language, 2023, ahead.org/professional-resources/accommodations/statement-on-language. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
George Mason University: Disability Studies. Inclusive Language, 2023, ds.gmu.edu/inclusive-language. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
Resources:
For more information about avoiding ableist language, please visit any of the following resources:
Ageism is discrimination against people due to negative and inaccurate stereotypes based on their actual age or perceived age. Do not use the term ageism without definition.
Discrimination based on age (young or old) is ageism. Because terms like seniors, elderly, aging dependents, and similar "other-ing" terms connote a stereotype, avoid using them. Terms such as older adults, older patients, or the older population are preferred. In the same way, using pejorative terms for younger people is also a part of age discrimination.
Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center and University Communications have collaborated on a guide to avoiding ageist language. For more information on referencing age, avoiding ageist language, and related resources, please visit the Age Guide.
Our mission is to empower each student, staff, and faculty member to promote and become engaged citizens who use their acquired knowledge and skills with integrity and compassion to improve the future of the community and the world.
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