HNY Inclusive Language Guidance > ‘Top tips for using inclusive language’ video transcript

‘Top tips for using inclusive language’ – video transcript

[ON SCREEN: Top tips for inclusive language]

The language we use is incredibly powerful.

Inclusive language teaches us to value other people for who they are.

It’s not about a list of acceptable words. It’s about being aware of the language we use and its impact on others.

Language is as wonderfully individual as human beings are. But it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it might seem.

Here are some top tips for using inclusive language:

• We avoid making assumptions about a person or group of people.
• We don’t ask about something that is not relevant to a person’s care, the services they receive or the job they do.
• We follow the lead of each person, using the language they use to describe themselves.
• We treat everyone with the same respect and kindness we’d like to receive ourselves. This can look different for each of us.

We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we:

• acknowledge our mistakes
• apologise immediately, without making a fuss; and
• that we learn from our mistakes

Remember that even our best intentions can sometimes have an impact that we might not expect.

It is important to not forget the impact language can have.

You can find out more in the Humber and North Yorkshire Inclusive Language Guidance.

[ENDS]

This page was last updated on Monday 7 April 2025.