Language is powerful. It’s how we tell our own stories and learn about others’ lives. It’s how we connect, inspire and build bridges. At the University of Washington, we’re devoted to broadening horizons, learning and teaching about the vast array of cultures in the world, and making connections among the diversity of people’s experiences and wisdom.
We reach those goals with inclusive language: communication that respects and reflects people’s lived experience, using the words they find most accurate and centering their point of view. Inclusive language helps us understand and be understood; it shows that we’re listening and that we care; it helps us build trust with our readers.