Inclusive Language Guide for Authors

Dear authors, reviewers, and special issue editors:

We've curated this guide with the goal of creating a better understanding among our authors of the bias-free and inclusive language we prefer in our journal. We aim to be inclusive of language practices in both the Global South and Global North while avoiding bias, over-generalizations, and outdated terminology that the groups in question have called demeaning, exclusionary, or inappropriate. Since language is complex and embedded in histories of power and colonialism, this guide is written in the spirit of decolonializing efforts around the world. We aim to respect the terms chosen by individuals and groups to define themselves in local contexts, while educating others who may be unaware of shifting nomenclature and debates about language in other parts of the global community. We recognize that knowledge practices are embedded in power dynamics and that inclusive language practices emerge differently across regions, disciplines, and communities. Our aim is not to police but to foster cross-cultural respect and education. Given that language evolves quite quickly, this guide is a living document that we hope to update regularly. Please reach out to us at jiws@bridgew.edu with questions or feedback. We have also included links in the Recommended Reading section.

A note on language plurality: Many concepts—whether related to gender, sexuality, or community—do not translate neatly into English, and translation itself is a political act. While our journal is an English-language journal, we aim to promote linguistic inclusivity and encourage authors to employ non-English terms for key concepts when a simple translation is insufficient. Footnotes or in-text discussion can add definition, nuance, and context to your usage of the non-English term, to aid our international readership.

Gender

As a women's and gender studies journal, appropriate terminology concerning gender is essential to our publication. Please use this guide to better understand the inclusive and anti-essentialist language we prefer.

General Guidelines

"Sex" refers to biology, i.e., assigned sex at birth. However, note that sex is not binary (male or female only) but rather occurs on a continuum since intersex people have a mixture of sex characteristics. Sex is shaped by hormones, chromosomes, physiology, and anatomy, which are configured in a vast number of ways across humanity. The idea that sex is a binary is itself a cultural and ideological construction. Use the term "gender" to discuss socially constructed roles and recognize that gender operates on a continuum as well, rather than a simple binary.
Avoid assumptions. Don't assume all women will marry or want to do so; don't assume all women menstruate; don't assume that all men collude with patriarchal oppression, etc. Choose specificity: for example, cisgender married women, menstruating girls and women, men who demonstrate hegemonic masculinity or patriarchal behavior, etc.
How to refer to individuals (scholars, authors, research subjects)? Generally, choose the author's full name or last name. If you know their choice of pronouns, you may use she/they/he as appropriate. "They" may be appropriate as a non-gendered pronoun if the person's gender identity is unknown, or simply use the last name. Assuming a person's gender on the basis of their name may risk misgendering a person.
Do not refer to women by their first name only. Use full names or surnames when discussing scholars, public figures, or authors. This is important because men tend to be referred to by their surnames to confer professional achievement and status, so women deserve the same treatment.
Be aware of cultural differences. Different cultures have unique gender identities that differ from Western or Global North concepts. Use terms appropriate to that culture, such as Hjira in South Asia, Bacha Posh in Afghanistan, or Two-Spirit people in some Indigenous cultures. You may choose to employ non-English terms, while also defining the concept (either in text or a footnote) for readers who may be unfamiliar with the term.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
woman/women, man/men	female/females, male/males	Male/female refer to biological sex and using those words excludes transgender men and women and reinstates biological essentialism. Woman and man refer to sociocultural roles, so those terms are generally preferred, as both nouns and adjectives.	When referring to anatomy, reproductive functions, or nonhuman entities such as deities, then male/female is appropriate. For example, "female reproductive organs" or "the female goddess Kali." Established scholarly terms such as "the male gaze" may be employed.	Use "women politicians" instead of "female politicians" and "a field dominated by men" instead of "male-dominated field."
women/men	girls/boys (when referring to adults)	Using the terms girls/boys to describe adults, especially in the case of women, can be infantilizing and disrespectful.	Use girls/boys when talking about children under 18.	Use "unmarried woman" instead of "single girl" if the person is an adult.
women	The Woman	Avoid generalization.	Only use "the/a woman" when talking about a specific woman rather than women as a whole.	Avoid phrases such as "The Woman Problem" or "The Woman in literature."
women's	feminine	Feminine refers to characteristics culturally attributed to or prescribed for women, which may promote stereotypes or reflect essentialist thinking that reduces the diversity of women's experiences. Not all women are "feminine" in presentation or behavior.	Use the term when discussing specific roles or stereotypes (use phrase "stereotypically feminine attributes" or "roles deemed feminine").	Use "women's attitudes" and "women's literature" instead of "feminine sensibility" or "feminine literature."
victim-survivor, survivor	victim	Originating in feminist legal scholarship, this language change reflects the push to acknowledge both harm and resilience.	If discussing an author who uses the term "victim" in a book, for example. If there is a reason for the term "victim" being used, please add a footnote explaining the reasoning.
humans, humankind, people	mankind or Man	Avoid phrases that convey the false assumption that a man represents the universal human being.
any gender or another gender	opposite sex, both genders	The non-preferred terminology assumes there are only two genders, which creates a false binary and excludes transgender people, non-binary people, or other cultural conceptions of fluidity or additional genders.
all people or everyone	ladies and gentlemen	Outdated terms that assert a gender binary and also carry classist and colonialist connotations.
transgender or trans person/people	transgenders (as a plural noun)	Gender identity choice should be used as an adjective instead of a noun, following an identity-first model. Transgender people do not identify as cisgender (see definition below).		When discussing an individual, consider whether the person prefers to use gendered nouns ("transgender man" or "transgender woman") or the more gender-neutral phrase "transgender person."
gender-diverse people or gender minority	transgender (as an umbrella term)	Transgender refers to one type of gender diversity, but others include genderqueer, gender-fluid, or non-binary identities. Some transgender people choose to accept the gender binary (identifying as a transgender man or woman), while other gender-diverse or gender-fluid people reject the binary.	Transgender may be an appropriate umbrella term in a specific national culture, or if a coalition of people embraces the term, such as the organization "Transgender Europe."	For specific gender identities that reject binaries, use identity-first, adjectival phrases such as "nonbinary person" or "gender-fluid person." When speaking of people that are not cisgender, "gender-diverse people" may be useful as an inclusive term.
cisgender women or non-trans women	normal women (or just "women")	Cisgender is a non-judgmental term to refer to those people whose gender identity corresponds to the sex assigned to them at birth. Normative language (i.e. "normal") implies a biased judgment that those who are gender-fluid or who do not identify with their own gender assignment at birth are "abnormal."		Use "cisgender women" or "non-trans women" in tandem with "trans women" (not "women" and "transgender women"). Consider whether your use of the term "women" includes all types of women or if it would be more appropriate to use the term "cisgender women" for greater precision.
crossdresser	transvestite	Outdated term.
transgender person	transsexual	Outdated term employed in the history of surgical/medical intervention, which not all transgender people seek.	This term may still be claimed by some individuals who choose gender-affirming surgery or medical intervention; if so, use the term they choose.
intersex person	hermaphrodite	Outdated term for a person born with mixed male and female chromosomes or reproductive systems (organs, genitals, hormones).
gender-confirming or gender-affirming surgery	sex change	Outdated term.
assigned sex at birth	biological sex	Biological sex implies gender essentialism. Use "assigned [female or male] at birth" when discussing anatomical functions to avoid excluding intersex people or those with ambiguous sex.		The term "assigned female at birth" may also be used to distinguish between a person's assigned sex and their chosen gender identity, so that the two are not conflated.

Sexuality

Terminology regarding sexuality has changed over time and will certainly continue to do so. Writers should aim to represent the self-identification of the individuals and groups they discuss as accurately as possible.

General Guidelines

When referring to a research subject, it is important to acknowledge an individual's choice of specific identity language if that is known. For example, some people prefer the terms "Woman Loving Woman" (WLW) or "women who have sex with women" (WSW) rather than lesbian. Some people claim the term "queer," while others find it pejorative.
Sexual orientation is an individual's identity in relation to their personal pattern of sexual attraction to other people, but it is distinct from their gender identity.
Mention someone's sexual identity only if it is necessary to the discussion.
Heterosexual or straight are acceptable umbrella terms to refer to people who are not sexual minorities, i.e., cisgender women who desire cisgender men.
Use culturally specific terms where appropriate; for example, "same-gender-loving" (SGL) is a term used by some Black people in the US.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
For individuals, use gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or asexual person, etc.	homosexual(s)	The outdated term homosexual is homogenizing and has been used pejoratively.	When the person being discussed chooses to identify as "homosexual."
LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA+, sexual minorities, the queer community	homosexuals	The recommended umbrella terms are more inclusive while recognizing that this coalition encompasses diverse identities.		"Gay men" and "lesbians" are part of the larger LGBTQIA+ community or coalition.
gay people, queer people, bisexual people	gays, queers, bisexuals	Using stand-alone nouns to describe identities ignores diversity within the group and has a history of being used as pejoratives. It also reduces human beings to their sexuality.	Lesbian(s) is the exception, as it is accepted as both a noun and adjective.
sexual orientation, sexual identity	sexual lifestyle or preference	The non-preferred terms are outdated as they imply sexuality is a choice or commercialized fad rather than an inherent part of someone's identity.
same-gender desire/relationship	same-sex desire/relationship	Don't conflate sex (biological) and gender expression (cultural) when discussing sexuality. A lesbian transgender woman may not have been assigned to the female sex at birth.
openly; coming in	out; coming out	The term "out" has a history in the phrase "out of the closet" but this concept is outdated. Some Two-Spirit people who are LGBTQ+ prefer the term "coming in" to connote being welcomed into a community.		An "openly gay man" or "openly transgender person."

Race, Ethnicity, and Indigeneity

As an international journal, we strive to be informed about naming practices across the globe and to avoid essentialism and overgeneralization. Terms in this area are continually subject to revision by the groups of people in question. In general, use the terms that a specific group prefers to describe themselves and their culture.

General Guidelines

Use terms that reflect cultural specificity but define them for international readers. Different cultures have unique racial and ethnic identity categories. Use terms appropriate to that culture, such as Brownin (light-skinned, biracial people) in Jamaica or the dozens of terms that Brazilians use to designate race and color as separate but overlapping categories of identity. We encourage authors to define and contextualize the local term (either in text or a footnote) for readers who may be unfamiliar with the term.
If possible, prefer specific names for Tribes, ethnicities, or national cultures rather than using a generalizing term; for example, use Pakistani rather than South Asians, and the Cree people rather than Natives. Employ the term chosen by the group to confer cultural identity. When an Indigenous group has both a colonial and an Indigenous name, use the Indigenous name and add a footnote for the colonial name—e.g., Haudenosaunee is the preferred name for Iroquois, but both are used by the group.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
Indigenous, Tribal, Indigenous Peoples, or specific names employed by the Tribe or Nation	Native Americans, Native Canadians, Native, or Indian (to refer to Indigenous cultures or groups of people)	The terms "the natives" and "Indian" have a long history in colonialist discourse, used to designate a lack of civilization. We reserve the term "Indian" to refer to the people of India in South Asia. Many groups worldwide who formerly used the word "Native" are now choosing Indigenous instead. Note that the preferred terms are proper nouns when used as cultural identities chosen by the group. Thus, they should be capitalized, even when used as adjectives.	In Australia, the term "Aboriginal" is acceptable. In Suriname, Guyana, and some other Caribbean spaces, the term "Amerindian" is still accepted. In the US, the legal term "Native Alaskan" is accepted, and many organizations still employ the word "Native American." It's acceptable to use "native" in the lower case to convey that someone comes from a particular place ("her native land" or "native of Japan").	"Indigenous Peoples" (note both capital letters as specified by the UN), "Tribal people/s," "Adivasi," "Scheduled Tribes of India," "the Cree people," "the Metawai Tribe of Indonesia," "Aboriginal Australians," and "the Cherokee Nation."
Black, White	black, white	These racial identities should be capitalized, even when they are used as adjectives. We also capitalize White to avoid implying that it is the standard or default human.		"White people and Black people in the US," "White European."
Black people, White people	Blacks, Whites, or "the Black race" or "White race"	We prefer the adjectival (identity-first) forms over the plural noun forms. Plural noun forms and "the...race" phrases are associated with racial essentialism and have historically been used by racist groups.
Black or African American (US), Afro-Caribbean (West Indies), people of African descent (global), a specific African culture (e.g. Nigerian, Kenyan)	Negro or Afro-American	The non-preferred terms are outdated words to refer to people of African descent living in the US. African American should not be used as an umbrella term for people of African ancestry worldwide.		Note that there is no hyphen in the word African American: e.g. "African American literature."
Latino/a, Latinx, or Latin@ or specific cultures (Bolivian, Puerto Rican, Chicano, Chicana). (Be aware of the use of gendered nouns in non-English languages.)	Hispanic	Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish rather than an ethnic or cultural identity. Not all people originating in Latin America speak Spanish. Name specific cultures when possible. There is considerable debate about gender neutrality and suffixes after "Latin-" so a footnote may be needed to explain your position.	Hispanic may be used when discussing the Spanish language or US census categorizations.
Acceptable umbrella terms are "marginalized" or "underrepresented" or "non-dominant" groups. Otherwise, refer to specific ethnic or cultural groups.	minority, People of Color, non-White	The term "minority" may not be accurate in terms of population numbers and can convey a sense of being of lesser value than dominant groups. "People of Color" has been criticized for being too broad and reducing ethnicity to just skin color. Non-White implies that Whiteness is the standard for comparison.	Minority can be used more specifically: "religious minority" and "gender minority." People of Color is still used in the US as an umbrella term and as part of the acronym BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), but you may want to add a footnote to acknowledge criticism about its limitations.

Region and Feminist Geographies

As an international journal, we publish articles from various parts of the world; as such, region is a topic that comes up quite often. We have adopted terms to represent these regions using non-hierarchical, value-neutral language. We also include guidelines for discussing specific branches of feminism that emerge from locales as well as those that are transnational.

General Guidelines

If possible, prefer names employed by people and groups within that region.
Avoid flattening feminist geographies with overly generalized references to feminism as a monolithic concept. Doing so ignores historical roots and local and regional contexts that can be important when adapting a theory to a new context. For example, scholars often use ecofeminist theory but ignore its French roots, simultaneously criticizing a reductionist and homogeneous "Western feminism" while falsely claiming ecofeminism as a Global South invention. Ecofeminism has been creatively and productively adapted to many Global South spaces, but historical accuracy requires awareness of its founder, Françoise d'Eabonne, in her 1974 book, Le Féminisme ou la Mort (Feminism or Death). Scholars also frequently cite Crenshaw's "intersectionality" concept without acknowledging that her focus was on legal categories of identity under US law. Yet intersectionality has been productively adapted and expanded for use in different contexts. We encourage authors to fully research and explain the roots and regional/local histories of the feminist theories they invoke rather than reiterating an oversimplified and misrepresented popular understanding. With such a grounding in place, scholars should then explain how they are adapting these feminist ideas to their own research contexts. In this way, we encourage theoretical innovation and transnational feminist solidarity without eliding differences in regional and historical context.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
Global North and Global South	First-world/Third-world	The preferred terms are much more neutral and do not rank certain countries above others. The terms Global North and Global South were devised to refer to economic disparities between nations as a result of colonialism and unequal trade systems (they do not necessarily refer to latitude).	"Third-world feminism" continues to circulate as a historically situated, politically charged category within postcolonial theory. If you want to use it in this context, we suggest putting the phrase in quotes and foregrounding its contested but still meaningful intellectual life.	"Digital archives in the Global North are well funded in comparison to technology infrastructure in the Global South."
Global North/Global South	Western and non-Western	The term non-Western implies that Western is the norm and all others are aberrations. "Western" is often represented in overgeneralized ways. The JIWS mission statement notes that authors should "question limited and false notions of 'Western feminism' or 'Third World feminism' as monolithic entities."
SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa), WANA (West Asia and North Africa), the Gulf Region (6 specific nations on the Persian Gulf), or specific country names	MENA (Middle East and North Africa)	The term "Middle East" has been criticized for being unclear, colonialist, and Eurocentric in perspective ("middle" from where?). Decolonial options are listed as preferred terms.	Some academic departments may still use MENA.
Muslim-majority country, Arab-majority country	Muslim country, Arab country	When discussing countries in SWANA or WANA, do not conflate the region or specific nation with religion (Muslim) or culture/ethnicity (Arab). Some states in this region are largely ethnically Arab, while others are not or are multi-ethnic. While Islam may be the dominant religion in many countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa, it is rarely the only religion practiced there.	Specific states may refer to themselves as Arab States (League of Arab States). The "Arab World" is an accepted phrase to refer to Arab-majority nations.

Class, Caste, and Socioeconomic Status

We recommend using language that avoids Western-centric bias, is more empathetic to the experiences of individuals, and avoids dehumanization of people throughout the socioeconomic spectrum.

General Guidelines

Regarding caste systems in South Asia or other contexts: Caste as a system exceeds terminology—it is a lived structure of power that intersects with region, language, and religion. We encourage authors to retain local specificity by naming and also contextualizing particular caste locations or regional practices.
The concepts of upper class or elite, middle class, and lower class vary across nation, region, and culture. If used, they should be clearly defined in terms of income, occupation, education, and property ownership to avoid confusion.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
Specify the country's type of economic structure, average income, health and educational access, gender equity, and/or job opportunities. Compare those to global or regional figures.	Developed world, developing nation, underdeveloped nations	These non-preferred phrases imply that Western concepts of industrial capitalism are the ideal economic systems to which other nations should aspire. They are also amorphous terms that should be replaced by specific economic and societal conditions.	In many countries and even in the UN's sustainable goals, "Development" is an established scholarly field that concerns the improvement of economic conditions and human opportunities.	"low-income nation," "agrarian economy," "low-to-middle income country compared to other nations in South America," "country with a low score on the global Gender Equality Index."
People living below the poverty line in their country, people with low income, people experiencing food insecurity or unstable employment.	Poor people, "the poor"	The word "poor" has negative connotations. When discussing socioeconomic status, we typically prefer person-first language, which confers dignity and does not overemphasize one's economic situation as defining one's personhood.
People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity	The homeless	When discussing socioeconomic status, we typically prefer person-first language (see above).
Dalit or other self-named caste identity	Untouchables, outcasts, using caste names as slurs	These stigmatizing and dehumanizing terms for caste groups in India have been replaced by "Dalit," a self-affirming and empowering term chosen by the groups themselves. Avoid using caste names as slurs or insults (such as "Mahar," "Bhangi," "Chamar," "Valmiki," or "Jatav"), which strips them of their historical and cultural context.
Manual laborers, or people with low income or economic insecurity or minimal education (prefer specificity)	Working class	The term "working class" is sometimes considered outdated or inaccurate since most people across the globe "work," including those in the middle and upper-income brackets.	The term has an important history within the labor movement (i.e. "working-class solidarity"), so may be used in those contexts. In some societies, the binary construction of elite vs. working class is still operative.

Disability

Disability studies as a field aims at questioning ableism and conferring dignity on all individuals regardless of their physical or mental capabilities. Our suggestions below suggest avoiding harmful and offensive language and acknowledging terms preferred by people with disabilities. Generally, person-first language is preferred to put emphasis on the person rather than the disability, with some exceptions. We aim to respect cultural differences in terminology while also acknowledging global debates about language usage that prioritize the dignity and agency of people living with disabilities.

General Guidelines

Do not define a person by their disability unless the person chooses to (i.e., such as a "Deaf person" aligning themselves with Deaf culture).
Be specific when defining someone's disability and only refer to their disability when it is directly relevant.
Prefer person-first language. It's typically safe to say "person living with ____ disability" although some individuals may prefer identity-first language to affirm their culture or avoid medicalizing terminology ("Deaf person" or "neurodivergent person"). When possible, ask the person what their preferred terms are to discuss their disability.
Use neutral language when discussing health conditions and injuries and avoid words with negative connotations. Also avoid condescending language that implies that all people with disabilities "suffer" or "struggle" or that their existence is bleak.
Acknowledge both cultural differences and global trends: Some cultures may use different terms to refer to persons with disabilities, such as the United Arab Emirates' legal term "People of Determination," which is intended to be respectful but has been criticized in other regions for being condescending. Kuwait also uses the term "learning differences" for people with cognitive disabilities. Offer footnotes to provide contextual information and acknowledge regional usage and global debates about language shifts.

Preferred	Non-preferred	Why?	Exceptions	Examples
Disability, person living with a disability, people with disabilities (PWD)	Special needs, disorder, impairment, abnormality	These non-preferred terms come with negative connotations and imply that something is "wrong" with people who have disabilities. The preferred phrase "living with" indicates that a disability does not define a person's entire experience.	If it's used in a medical/official context, i.e., Special Education.
non-disabled, person without a disability, neurotypical	Able-bodied, normal	The non-preferred terms imply that people without disabilities are normal and in turn, people with disabilities are abnormal.
Drug misuse, substance abuse disorder, person living with drug addiction	Addict, junkie, drug abuse	These terms reflect stigma.	Addiction can be used in medical contexts.
Describe the specific type of disability, using person-first language	Crippled, disfigured, handicapped, invalid, wheelchair-bound	These terms are pejorative and don't discuss the actual disability.		Person with paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis, or a mobility disability.
Condition	Defect, defective, deformed	These terms are pejorative.	Birth defect/deformity is sometimes used in the medical field.
Deaf, hard of hearing	Hearing impaired	Choice of person-first or identity-first language. The medical language of "impairment" has come under some criticism for being ableist.	Members of the Deaf community often prefer identity-first language that claims Deaf culture and signing as a distinct identity: a "Deaf person."
Non-speaking, non-vocal, non-oral, person with a specific condition or diagnosis	Dumb, mute, non-verbal	These terms are pejorative and don't discuss the actual disability.
Intellectually or developmentally disabled, person with a developmental or cognitive disability, person with Down Syndrome	Retardation, slow, mongoloid, delayed, Down child, Down's syndrome	These terms are pejorative and don't discuss the actual disability.
Little person, person with dwarfism or short stature	Dwarf, midget, vertically challenged	These terms are pejorative.	Dwarf is sometimes used as a medical diagnosis.
A person living with mental illness or mental health challenges, psychologically diverse	Crazy, insane, deranged, mad, psycho, nuts, disturbed	These terms come with stigma and imply that people living with mental illness are automatically dangerous. "Psychologically diverse" may be useful to indicate that some coping mechanisms for trauma (such as dissociation) may be lifesaving despite being diagnosed as "illness."	If the term is used in a historical sense ("insane asylums").
Person living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), neurodivergent or autistic person	Socially awkward, "on the spectrum"	These non-preferred terms are imprecise or euphemistic. While most recommended terms use person-first language, "neurodivergent person" is preferred by many to affirm identity and move away from the medical language of "disorder."
Person living with dementia	Demented, senile	The non-preferred terms are pejorative.

Contributors: Dr. Kimberly Davis, Dr. Diana Fox, Emma Voelker, Ashley Luise, Finn Lee, Glen Beaulieu, Rosalie Hamilton, Harley Shiner, Nina Hamel, Emma Shanley, and Dr. Davis' Spring 2024 Copyediting Class.

Journal of International Women's Studies