English with Kirsty – episode 292
Inclusive language
You can listen to episode 292 here:
I’ve been wanting to talk about this topic for a while and to bring you a conversation with people who are in more of a position to explain, give examples, and help others to either start thinking or learn more about the topic of inclusive language.
In this episode we talked about:
- What is inclusive language?
- What are some general tips that we can implement to make our texts and speech more inclusive?
- Are there any language-specific aspects, approaches, or challenges that we should be aware of in terms of the languages represented on the panel?
- Different experiences of speaking with clients about making their texts more inclusive or pointing out where the original text was not?
- Inclusive language resources that would be useful for translators.
Thanks everyone for making this content with me and I look forward to exploring these topics further with you and others in the future.
Who are my guests?
Inès Hinojo-Moulin
I’m Inès Hinojo-Moulin, I am an EN>FR and ES>FR translator specialised in inclusive language and social justice. I work with NGOs and purpose-driven companies and I make sure everybody feels seen and respected in their content in French. I also translate books, because I am convinced that they are an amazing way to normalise the use of inclusive language in society.
You can connect with Inès on LinkedIn, or find out more about their work by visiting their . website and blog.
Other links from Inès:
- Suzanne Wertheim’s book The Inclusive Language Field Guide
- The toolkit for decolonising language by the Climate Sirens
- Oxfam’s inclusive language guide
Renata Fernandes Torres
I’m Renata Fernandes Torres. I was born and raised in the Greater Rio de Janeiro area and am a disabled autistic person (also, I’m bi). I’m both an audio-visual translator and an English tutor. I haven’t been as in touch with translation as I once was, but that’s not because I don’t want to. It’s just that life gets in the way, and things change. The language industry as a whole has been changing a lot since the last portion of 2022, and it’s nice to go back to my roots (teaching).
You can find Renata on her blog, where she writes about learning English, or on LinkedIn.
Other links from Renata in Brazilian Portuguese:
Marina Torruella Bonsoms
Marina is a freelance translator and subtitler specialising in inclusive communication. She works from English and Japanese into her native languages: Catalan and Spanish. She uses her skills towards building a more accessible, inclusive and just society by helping NGOs, educators and audiovisual creators reach wider audiences without leaving anyone behind.
You can connect with Marina on
LinkedIn an find out more about her work on her website.
Other links from Marina:
- Beyond pronouns: How languages are reshaping to include nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people
- Guia gramatical de llenguatge no-binari
- MODII – Plataforma virtual de comunicación inclusiva
- inclusive language guide (PDF)
- Queerterpreter suggested reading
Charlotte Schinnerl
Charlotte Schinnerl holds a master’s degree in Translation (Conference Interpreting) from the University of Vienna (German, English, Spanish, Czech). In 2021, she completed her master’s thesis research on the topic of gender-(in)sensitive language in conference interpreting, conducting a corpus-based study on how gender sensitivity is handled in the European Parliament when interpreting into German. She worked as a freelance language specialist until last year and now works as a Program Manager for International Exchange and Partnerships at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
You can connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn.
Practical guidelines/ resources from universities for gender-inclusive language in German (PDFs):
- WU Vienna
- BOKU Vienna (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences): Using language and images at BOKU: gender-sensitive, diversity-aware, inclusive::Coordination Office for Gender Equality, Diversity and Accessibility::BOKU
- University of Vienna
- Akademie der bildenden Künste (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna)
- Donau-Universität Krems (University for Continuing Education Krems)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt University)
- Diewald, Gabriele & Steinhauer, Anja (2020). Handbuch geschlechtergerechte Sprache: Wie Sie angemessen und verständlich gendern. Berlin: Dudenverlag.
- Hornscheidt, Lann & Sammla, Ja’n (2021). Wie schreibe ich divers? Wie spreche ich gendergerecht? Ein Praxis-Handbuch zu Gender und Sprache. Hiddensee: worten & meer.
Alicja Tokarska
Alicja Tokarska is a Polish translator, subtitler, and inclusion and diversity trainer. Her areas of specialisation are tourism, sustainability, fashion, marketing, and education.
You can find Alicja’s newsletter here.
Other links from Alicja:
- Zaimki.pl – a page with lots of examples of neutral forms in many languages
- Karen Yin’s Conscious Language Style Guide (plus newsletter under the same name)
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