- The Conscious Language Newsletter by Karen Yin
- Posts
- The Conscious Language Newsletter: August 2024
The Conscious Language Newsletter: August 2024
Why the word "vegan" is not selling.
AUGUST 2024
From the World of Conscious Language
Note: The authors' viewpoints are not necessarily shared by CSG.
DESIGN + IMAGES
“There persists in the industry the sticky question of how explicitly a writer’s identity should be signalled on the cover—and the ensuing struggle, for many authors, of how hard to push back if and when things veer into stereotype.” Read >
GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY
Advocates Say Words Matter When Labelling Recent Death a Femicide
Heidi Illingworth, executive director of Ottawa Victim Services, “said the use of the label is so significant because it opens the door to finding solutions to femicide instead of ignoring it.” Read >
ABILITY + DISABILITY
When Does Concern About Presidential Fitness Become Media Ableism?
“In terms of covering political campaigns, some common pitfalls to avoid include…diagnosing candidates without evidence; using illness or disability as a metaphor; conflating age with ability; conflating physical and cognitive health; using stigmatizing language to describe incapacities; and highlighting issues with ability or health without explaining why they are concerning.” Read >
JOURNALISM
Readers Trust Journalists Less When They Debunk Rather Than Confirm Claims
“Being disagreeable, like when pointing out someone else’s lie or error, carries with it a risk of backlash.” Read >
ANIMALS
The Word “Vegan” Is Still More Reviled Than “Plant-Based” but…Why?
“Being reminded that a food doesn’t include an ingredient you like isn’t going to make you want to buy it more, and might make you want it even less. If, on the other hand, you’re reminded of the delicious qualities of the ingredients the dish does include, it becomes much more appealing.” Read >
ETHNICITY, RACE + NATIONALITY
How Being Intentional With Your Language Can Shift Your Thinking
“The issue with ‘stakeholder’ isn’t just that the term might ‘offend people’…it’s that the use of this language brings along with it a particular way of thinking about all the people who are interested in or affected by a particular outcome.” Read >
Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.
Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.
TEACHING CHILDREN
10 Things Adults Should Never Say to Kids, According to Psychologists
Instead of saying, “Make sure to hug [insert name here] goodbye,” adults can suggest to their child that they can offer a hug, handshake, or fist bump. Read >
ETHNICITY, RACE + NATIONALITY
In a First, Botanists Vote to Remove Offensive Plant Names From Hundreds of Species
“The one-letter change would mean removing references to…an Apartheid-era slur used to discriminate against Black people in South Africa.” Read >
CLIMATE + ENVIRONMENT
If You Want Americans to Pay Attention to Climate Change, Just Call It Climate Change
“We found no evidence that the alternative terms increased people’s sense of urgency, willingness to support climate-friendly policies or willingness to act.” Read >
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The “Prosecutor vs. Felon” Line Isn’t the Slam Dunk Team Harris Thinks It Is
“Being convicted of a felony doesn’t disqualify someone from running for public office, and it shouldn’t mean that someone is inherently unfit to serve anyway. But the specifics of what Trump did—the lies and the fraud—make a more compelling case against him than any one label could.” Read >
HEALTH
Yes, the Way We Talk About Suicide Matters
“Speculating about the reason for someone’s death or attributing their death to one specific cause—such as blaming a celebrity’s death on a breakup—perpetuates the misconception that a single factor can cause suicide.” Read >
CSG in the Spotlight
Modernize Your Writing: The Case for Refreshing Your Style Guide
“The time you spend researching and updating your house style will pay off in the clarity and consistency of all your future writing projects.” Read >
How Should Academics Write About Gender and Non-Cisgender People?
“In The Conscious Style Guide, Karen Yin presents a compelling way to evaluate when to use certain language. Instead of ‘one size fits all’ recommendation, she advocates for thinking about how our language may cause harms or could alter historical inequities.” Read >
New and Notable on CSG
The Asian American Journalists Association Style Guide
“It is our hope that this guide can bring more nuance, accuracy and accountability to coverage of the AAPI population, which is made up of about 50 ethnic groups that speak more than 100 languages.” Visit Ethnicity, Race + Nationality >
From the Archives
Are All Grandmothers Amazing Cooks?
“The phenomenon is essentially a threefold stereotype involving gender, age, and (for bonus credibility) ethnicity.” Read >
In Case You Missed It
In the July 2024 newsletter…
• Why We Shouldn’t Call Trump a “Criminal”
• Stop Saying “Conservative” When You Mean Fascist
• Words Such as Racist Slurs Can Literally Hurt—Here’s the Science
Stuff to Buy
Photo by Uni-T. | You Need This T-Shirt! Play, work, and sleep in the super soft “Make Peace With Words” T-shirt. Choose from a variety of colors. (Fitted shirts available in XXS through XXL, and straight-cut shirts available in XS through XXL.) Hand-printed with love. Your purchase supports two small businesses owned by women of color. Why make peace? Read the article! |
Shop for Diverse Picture Books: On DiversePictureBooks.com, find exceptional picture books that spread understanding, compassion, and joy through diverse representation. |
Other Resources
Join Our Online Community: Are you on Facebook? Join the Conscious Language + Design Facebook Group to learn, share, and chat with others who are curious or serious about conscious language.
Find Editors of Color: The Editors of Color Database helps recruiters connect with editors, proofreaders, and sensitivity readers of color in the U.S. and Canada. You can submit job listings for distribution to our private network and explore the 100+ resources in Diverse Databases, which highlights underrepresented groups. Diversify your sources now!
Get More Tips on Instagram: Follow @ConsciousStyleGuide for examples of context that supports sensitive content.
Did Someone Forward This to You?
Get The Conscious Language Newsletter in your in-box!
There’s no other newsletter like it.