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- The Conscious Language Newsletter: July 2025
The Conscious Language Newsletter: July 2025
How conscious language can help us fight for the truth.
Karen Yin
July 29, 2025
A Note From the Founder
 | I’m bothered by the lack of distinction between generative AI and non-generative AI (also called traditional machine learning, traditional AI, analytical AI) in nearly all AI coverage and commentary. Collapsing different types of AI into one term, “AI,” promotes confusion and misinformation about what we really need to pay attention to and be concerned about. When products, for example, are described as “using AI” or “having AI,” it tells me nothing about what is actually being used or whether there are ethical issues involved, e.g., theft of creators’ works by gen AI. |
From the World of Conscious Language
Note: The authors' viewpoints are not necessarily shared by CSG.
FACT-CHECKING
“When people are inundated with competing claims without any assurance of factuality, they become confused and cynical, doubting truth can even be known.”
JOURNALISM
“When reporters ask two questions at the same time, they weaken their chances of getting either of them answered.”
JOURNALISM
“A simple phrase like ‘false claim’ is more powerful and precise than ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation,’ because it names the problem plainly and directs attention to the content itself—without triggering partisan reflexes or rhetorical spin.”
GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY
“We would not expect schools to put Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in the sex education curriculum simply because it features a straight mom and dad. Why would Justice Gorsuch or others believe stories about families with two moms or two dads belong there?”
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
A checklist for how to write and speak about people experiencing homelessness.
EMPOWERMENT
“Though it may come with the best intentions, the ‘I’ve been there, too’ approach shifts the focus from them to you. And real empathy isn’t about relating our parallel story—it’s about listening deeply.”
ETHNICITY, RACE + NATIONALITY
“The use of ‘ch*nky eye’ like it’s a neutral descriptor shows how deeply anti-Asian racism has been normalized―especially when it’s disguised as flattery.”—Joey S. Kim, assistant professor of English, University of Toledo
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GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY
“Language is one of the oldest mirrors of power we possess. When we allow that mirror to reflect a broader, more inclusive vision of humanity, we are not ‘censoring’ anyone, we are choosing compassion over cruelty, precision over prejudice, community over comfort.”
HEALTH / GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY
“When transgender and nonbinary patients receive gender-affirming treatment, they are significantly less likely to delay healthcare in the future.”
JOURNALISM
Questions to ask while managing name-removal requests.
HEALTH
“Example phrases [of language that blames the patient] are the ‘patient failed treatment’ or the ‘patient failed to achieve complete response.’ Although these phrases are used with no ill-intent, they are insensitive to the patient and, frankly, inaccurate. It is indeed the treatment that failed the patient.”
AGE
“Elderspeak may involve the use of inappropriate terms of endearment, juvenile language or unnecessarily loud or slow enunciation. It can often be a vehicle for attributing ageist stereotypes to the older person, defining them not by their selfhood but by their age.”
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
“The debate over terminology should not be used as a form of virtue signaling without meaningful efforts to tackle the deeper challenges of housing affordability, mental health, and substance use.”
New and Notable on CSG
CREATIVE WRITING > GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY
Bears Will Be Boys
“Because so much of our worldview is shaped by our environment when we are young, automatically reaching for he after ‘look at the frog!’ starts to make some sense. After all, that’s what the books say.”
In Case You Missed It
• Why Use the Term “West Asia”?
• Nutrition for Today: FDA Issues a New Definition of the Word “Healthy” on Food Labels
• To Tell My Disabled Stories, I Needed to Unlearn Ableist Workshop Critiques
You Need This!
 Photo by Uni-T. | 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! |
 | New Board Book! Fans of Whole Whale will love the huggable 9” by 9” board book format. In this raucous rhyming tale about making space, 100 unusual animals try to squeeze into the pages of the book. Features an expansive double gatefold and a list of the animals. "This simple rhyming book packs a powerful message."—School Library Journal. Visit KarenYin.com/Books to learn more. |
 | New Ghoul at School: Mimi doesn’t look like the other ghosts—but she wishes she did. “A pun-tacular ghost story.”—Booklist. Themes in So Not Ghoul: new student, blending in, bullying, cultural misappropriation. For a free 12-page activity guide, a signed bookplate, or ways to buy, visit KarenYin.com/Books. |
More 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, one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites for Writers, 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!
Shop for Diverse Picture Books: On DiversePictureBooks.com, find exceptional picture books that spread understanding, compassion, and joy through diverse representation.
Get More Tips on Instagram: Follow @ConsciousStyleGuide for examples of context that supports sensitive content.
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