The European Commission is attempting to put an end to gendered words such as “man-made” and “ladies and gentlemen” and replace them with neutral phrases like “human-induced” and “dear colleagues”.
In an internal guidebook for inclusive communication, EU officials are encouraged to “update their language” and avoid expressions considered stigmatizing according to gender, sexual identities, ethnic backgrounds, and culture.
“We must always offer inclusive communication, ensuring that everyone is valued and recognized in all our material regardless of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation,” Helena Dali, the European Commissioner responsible for equality, writes in the foreword.
They are asked to avoid gender-specific language, urged to use “chair”, “colleagues” and “human-induced” instead of “chairman”, “ladies and gentlemen” or “man-made”. In a further push for gender-neutral language, it is suggested that expressions such as “fire is man’s greatest invention” should be replaced with “fire is mankind’s greatest invention”.
Under the guidance, officials are prohibited from the use of masculine terms as a “default”, with a ban on phrases such as workmen and “Miss or Mrs” is forbidden unless the recipient of a communication makes it explicit.
The recommendations are said to “reflect diversity” and tackle “stereotypes deeply rooted in individual and collective behaviour”, according to the guidebook. Commission officials have previously been issued “reminders” to watch their language but this is the first time a full guidebook has been provided to them. READ MORE
