The Conscious Language Newsletter: August 2024

Why the word "vegan" is not selling.

AUGUST 2024

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Watch, read, or listen to my interview on the Grammar Girl podcast!

From the World of Conscious Language

Note: The authors' viewpoints are not necessarily shared by CSG.

DESIGN + IMAGES

The Hidden Racism of Book Cover Design

“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 of an ocean-blue tee on a white-washed fence.

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.

Graphic illustration showing a medium-brown-skinned child with pigtails reading a book in front of a rainbow.

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.

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