Inclusive language
Our world is always evolving, and so are languages and language use. With new knowledge and inclusion of marginalized groups, our language use adapts. It adapts to find appropriate terms for the world around us and terms that make sure we can address everyone. UM embraces language use that addresses everyone in general communication and that addresses individuals in a way that makes them feel seen and respected.
Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert, president of Maastricht University, said in her farewell speech as Rector Magnificus during the 46th Dies Natalis: "I am a strong proponent of diversity as a driver of dialogical leadership". She used gender-inclusive language when welcoming the audience as "distinguished guests".
You can find the following resources on this webpage:
- NEW GUIDE: Using gender pronouns in digital communication- developed by the D&I Office
Gender Inclusive Language - guide developed by the D&I Office
Taaladvies [Language Advice]: Taal en gender [in Dutch]
- Anti-Racism Guide – MP Associates, Center for Assessment and Policy Development, and World Trust Educational Services, October 2021
- Women Inc. Incomplete Style Guide [in Dutch]
- APA Inclusive Language Guide
New guide: Using gender pronouns in digital communication
At Maastricht University, we are committed to building an inclusive community where everyone feels seen and valued. One simple yet meaningful way we can contribute to this is by sharing our gender pronouns (e.g., he/she/they) in our digital communications.
The Diversity & Inclusivity Office has published guidelines, which explains:
- why gender pronouns matter
- how sharing our pronouns in digital communication can promote belonging
- how to add your pronouns to your email signature and your profiles on UMployee and Canvas
By making it common practice to share pronouns, we help affirm gender-diverse identities and foster a culture of respect and allyship across the UM community.
This guide is primarily intended for UM employees, but it also contains useful information for students who may wish to add their pronouns to their email signatures and Canvas profiles as well.
Download the new guide: Using gender pronouns in digital communication
Gender inclusive language at UM
What is gender inclusive language?
Gender Inclusive Language is speaking or writing in a way that includes everyone in your target audience by ensuring they are not excluded due to gender terminology. This means that regardless of their gender identity, they feel addressed and included through your choice of words. Gender inclusive language is also language that appropriately reflects the diversity we see in the population, and a way to accurately report on findings and events.
Why use gender inclusive language at UM?
The Strategic Plan 2022-2026 highlights UM’s core values of diversity and inclusion, sustainability, mutual respect, integrity, democratic principles and transparency. At UM, everyone has the right to participate, study, work, and engage in UM activities regardless of their gender identity. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make sure the language we use actively welcomes everyone at UM to ensure inclusion and mutual respect.
Why is gender inclusive language such a big thing?
Gender (assumptions) often appear in general language use, and to varying degrees in different languages. Often, the way we write or speak changes depending on the perceived gender of the person or people we are talking to, or about. The issue is that these assumptions are not always correct, and incorrect assumptions can be hurtful. Watch our video “Sex and Gender: What? Why?, and How?” for more information.
The good news
Language is flexible and evolves, and gender inclusive language already exists and is easy to use, even if it takes a little bit of practice. For example, this introduction is written in a gender inclusive manner, and below you will find more tips for how to ensure you use gender inclusive language when writing or speaking, to/about different people.
Tips and examples
| Tip | Inclusive example | Inclusive vocabulary | Exclusive example | |
| 1 | Use general terms for people | Human beings evolved | Humankind, staff, people, workers, employees, personnel | Man evolved |
| 2 | Using ‘they’ for a generic person | A person is the best judge of their own needs. The student is responsible for their exam registration. The PhD candidate must ensure their supervisor signs the form. | They, them, theirs | A person is the best judge of his or her own needs. The student is responsible for his/her exam registration. The PhD candidate must ensure his supervisor signs the form |
| 3 | Rewrite sentences to avoid the need for any pronouns | The supervisor decides on the student’s final grade. | His supervisor decides on the student’s final grade. | |
| 4 | Avoid gendered terminology | Research scientists often neglect their spouses and children. Being a parent takes a lot of time, and is a challenge when combined with being a doctor. | Parenting, nurturing, salesperson, chairperson, employee, doctor, nurse, surgeon, tutor, lecturer, moderator, discussion leader | Research scientists often neglect their wives and children. Being a mother takes a lot of time, and is a challenge when combined with being a female doctor. |
| 5 | Avoid gendered addresses | Dear Guests Dear Colleagues Greetings Welcome everyone Esteemed guests | Dear travellers, Dear students, | Ladies and Gentlemen |
| 6 | Avoid gendered adjectives | Cautious men and women, cautious people; Timid men and women, timid people | Person, people, student, staff, team member Important- even when talking about people whose gender you do know, be consistent in the adjectives you use for all people. | Cautious men and timid women |
| 7 | Use, and ask for pronouns, or self-identified pronouns | Hi, my name is Ophélie, my pronouns are she/hers, what are yours? Please indicate your pronouns so we can address you correctly. | She/her/hers He/him/his They/them/theirs These are the most commonly known and used; note that individuals may have alternative pronouns. | Assume you know someone’s pronouns, without first finding out. |
| 8 | Differentiate between gender, sex, pronouns | Sex does not define gender, nor do either of these define which pronouns a person uses. You cannot infer one from the other, if this is information you need, ask politely. Alternatively, use the gender inclusive language listed above. | Gender: woman, man, non-binary |
Definition of gender terms
| Agender | Those who identify as having no gender or being without a gender identity. |
| Bigender | Having two genders and exhibiting characteristics of both |
| Cis/Cisgender | Gender identity matches gender assigned at birth |
| FtM / MtF | Abbreviations for female to male, and male to female, commonly used to describe a trans person’s identity or journey. |
| Gender | A social construct to classify a person as a man, a woman, or another identity. |
| Gender confirmation surgery | GCS, surgeries trans* people might have to help their bodies match their gender identity. |
| Gender expression | The outwardly, visible expression of one’s gender through appearance such as but not limited to hair and clothing. |
| Gender fluid | Describes someone whose gender identity shifts |
| Gender identity | A sense of one’s self as woman, man, trans, or another identity regardless of whether this matches the sex and gender assigned at birth. |
| Gender neutral | Relating to people, and not especially to women or men |
| Gender non-conforming | Adjective for people who do not subscribe to social expectations of gender roles and gender expressions. |
| Intersex | Someone born with neither or both male and female biological characteristics. |
| Non-Binary | A gender identity that goes beyond the male/female gender binary. |
| Outing | Exposing someone’s sexual or gender identity without their consent and permission. |
| Passing | When a trans person does not “appear” trans, and passes for a cis person. |
| Pronouns | Linguistic tool to refer to someone, such as he/him, she/her, they/them |
| Sex assigned at birth | The sex (and thus often also gender) that is externally identified at birth. |
| Trans* | Umbrella term for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people. |
| Transgender | Someone whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex/gender at birth. |
Sentence examples
| Form | Examples |
| They | Cleo is French. They study politics. |
| Them | Every client got a care package delivered to them. Yesterday they got a care package delivered to them. |
| Their | Each child played with their parent. As a child, Cleo played with their parent. |
| Theirs | The cup of coffee is theirs. |
| Themselves (or themself) | A private person usually keeps to themselves [or themself]. |
--
| Form | Example |
| He | Mark is British. He studies economics. |
| Him | Yesterday, Mark got a care package delivered to him. |
| His | When he was younger, Mark played with his parent. |
| His | The cup of coffee is his. |
| Himself | Mark is a private person, he usually keeps to himself. |
--
| Form | Example |
| She | Tay is from Kenya. She is a teacher. |
| Her | Yesterday, Tay got a care package delivered to her. |
| Her | When she was younger, Tay played with her parent. |
| Hers | The cup of coffee is hers. |
| Herself | Tay is a private person, she usually keeps to herself. |
Optional exercise for practice
Rewrite the following sentences to ensure they could apply to anyone at UM:
- The PhD candidate and his supervisor meet regularly to discuss his progress.
- If a student falls ill and misses her exam, she must register for a resit.
- Marianne is a female doctor, and has three children.