Bypass the Linguistic Distortions That Make Our Lives Harder

"Did you know that problematic language can subtly distort reality? These distortions lead us to biased mental models and harmful outcomes.

This talk focuses on two distortions that violate Dr. Wertheim’s first principle of inclusive language, “Reflect reality.” The first, “inflating language,” suggests that reasonable behavior is threatening, inappropriate, or otherwise problematic. The second, “softening language,” suggests that problematic behavior is actually ok.

These distortions affect decision making in hiring, performance reviews, work assignments, succession planning, and more. By recognizing and seeing through these linguistic distortions, we can make better decisions and better serve our employee base."

Webinar Outline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:07:25 - Introduction to Inclusive Language

Dr. Wertheim highlights the power of inclusive language to foster environments where everyone feels valued and heard. She touches upon the different impacts words can have on different individuals.

  • 00:07:26 - 00:15:45 - Concepts from Linguistics

Dr. Wertheim introduces key concepts from linguistics like, 'the flavor of words' and 'semantic frames'. She gives insightful examples of how these are shaped by social context and how bias can be hidden within them.

  • 00:15:46 - 00:25:00 - The Six Principles of Inclusive Language

The speaker presents her guiding framework - the six principles of inclusive language. These include: reflecting reality accurately, fostering respect, drawing people in, incorporating other perspectives, preventing erasure, and recognizing pain points.

  • 00:25:01 - 00:37:35 - Understanding & Eliminating Language Violations

Dr. Wertheim discusses concrete examples of language violations against her principles. She suggests alternative language choices that foster inclusion and respect.

  • 00:37:36 - 00:47:00 - Erasure of History & Recognizing Original Inhabitants

The importance of acknowledging history and recognizing the original inhabitants of a land is discussed. Dr. Wertheim offers recommendations for respectful recognition.

  • 00:47:01 - 01:00:00 - Dismantling Disparagement & Softening Language

Dr. Wertheim explores the misuse of mental health terms and the harmful impacts of softening language. She drives home the importance of responsible language use, especially in scenarios of power dynamics.

  • 01:00:01 - 01:10:00 - Creating More Welcoming Workplaces

Wrapping up, Dr. Wertheim emphasizes the need to replace problematic language with favorable alternatives, helping us all to create more inclusive, respectful, and functional workplaces.