Non Discriminatory
Presentation & Practice: Policy
Introduction
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) supports a policy
of non-discriminatory presentation and practice in all administrative
and academic activities of the University. This means that
the University will:
- actively promote the use of non-discriminatory language
and presentation in all UNSW documents and materials,
both written and otherwise, and non-discriminatory teaching
practice;
- make all staff aware of their responsibilities under
the policy, and of the existence of a complaints procedure;
and circulate suitable educational material to assist
staff to comply; and
- require that in the development of guidelines and teaching
activities for students, staff encourage students to comply
with the policy.
All staff are responsible for implementation and monitoring
of the policy. The Head of Department/School/Work Unit is
responsible for ensuring all staff undertake their duties
in line with this policy.
What is Non-Discriminatory Language?
Non-discriminatory language is that which treats all people
equitably and fairly. It does not discriminate against women
or men; it does not discriminate against people with religious
belief or absence of such belief; it does not discriminate
against people on the basis of their political opinions
or beliefs; it does not discriminate against people on the
basis of their race, colour, nationality or ethnicity; it
does not discriminate against people with physical or intellectual
impairment and it does not discriminate against people on
the basis of their age.
Why is it Important to use Non-discriminatory
Language?
Although language should not be deprived of its capacity
to express discrimination - there are situations in which
a speaker or writer wishes to express discrimination - care
should be taken to avoid discriminatory language in contexts
where its use may offend, exclude or hurt others.
The avoidance of discriminatory language is far from a
trivial matter, though it is sometimes represented as such
by those who do not understand the issue. We rely heavily
on languages to make sense of our world. The language we
use reflects as well as encodes the values, beliefs and
prejudices of the culture or society to which we belong.
In other words, to a large extent, our language is the cultural
filter through which we see or construct and reinforce what
to us is "real" or "normal".
Language not only reflects the discriminatory values
and practices of our society, but also maintains
them. For example, the continual stereotyping of women in
the media as primarily "wives" and "mothers" slows down
their recognition as individuals in their own right. It
follows that if we stop using discriminatory language, it
is an important step towards actually changing our consciousness
- our view of what is appropriate or real.
For example, many of us have grown up using sexist language
unconsciously, and are not really aware of the alternatives.
Through most of its history, the English language evolved
in a patriarchal or male-dominated society. As a result,
much of its vocabulary and grammar tends to exclude and
demean women.
From a professional point of view, it is important that
staff and students avoid discriminatory language. Not only
does discriminatory language maintain inequality between
people, but it is also inaccurate. In the case of sexist
language, it perpetuates false assumptions and stereotypes
concerning the nature of women and men, and prevents the
equal representation of the sexes.
Other reasons for avoiding discriminatory language are
that it fails to reflect the diverse nature of Australian
society, and that the Federal and most State governments
have anti-discriminatory legislation. Many institutions,
such as the media, public service and unions, already have
such guidelines.
This policy and associated documents aims to increase
awareness of discriminatory language in our university.
It offers a variety of specific examples and recommends
alternatives to assist staff and students in teaching, writing
assignments and everyday speech.
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