Inclusive writing 101
Because it’s 2022, and time to talk about it, today we’re tackling the all-important term of inclusive writing. When society evolves, does language have to evolve too? Isn’t it about time our language evolved, rather than defaulting to the generic masculine (the masculine gender used to refer to both men and women)? In this article, we’ll show you how to emphasize your values of inclusivity in your writing without making it harder to read, thanks to a number of easy-to-implement tips and principles.
And why not?
In 2022, who wouldn’t want to “ensure a fair distribution of feminine forms to achieve a discreet but continuous visibility of women and men”? (Bureau de la valorisation de la langue française et de la Francophonie) While Generation Z is asking brands to invest more in inclusion and diversity as consumers, more and more on the employee side are demanding more from their employers when it comes to inclusivity (and being dissatisfied with how far they’ve come). It’s time to focus on texts that are representative of our shared values and of the world’s population.
What is inclusive writing?
To write more inclusive texts, we can vary the means: while some individuals choose lexical feminization, others prefer to adapt the text rather than the words – this is known as epicene writing.
More on inclusive writing
Sources
https://gdt.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ficheOqlf.aspx?Id_Fiche=26532325
https://gdt.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ficheOqlf.aspx?Id_Fiche=26527352
http://bdl.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/bdl/gabarit_bdl.asp?id=5421
Having a little fun
Aside from epicene writing, there are several ways in which everyone can be more inclusive in their texts:
Use the generic feminine, rather than the generic masculine, when writing a job ad, a persona or a post on your social media.
Use doublets (feminine+masculine), but place the feminine before the masculine. Example: Students
*This text was written according to the principles of inclusive writing.
Additional resources
UdeM training
Free virtual training on epicene writing by Université de Montréal
OQLF guide
Epicene writing training – A free guide from the OQLF, plus a practical workbook
Aide-memoire from the OQLF
OQLF practical checklist on epicene writing
Club Sexu training
Inclusive writing – Learning to write ourselves
Club Sexu Guide
Guide – Learn to write us
Need help writing inclusive texts? Call on our editorial team!
