“Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes.”

DESMOND TUTU

Language is the backbone of communication. The words we choose hold a lot of power: they can empower, uplift, isolate, or dehumanize. Conscious language recognizes that there are commonly used words and phrases that have been weaponized against entire communities and therefore should be removed from use. It also helps create language that makes room for everyone and their lived experiences.

Conscious language is meant to be inclusive, respectful, and non-judgmental. It is used with intention, mindfulness, and consideration. It is evolutionary and requires constant learning and acceptance of change.

When you hire me to provide a conscious language assessment, my goal is to help your writing be accessible and enjoyable to a broad audience. I will ensure that you are aware of any unintended consequences that may result from your content and help you rephrase any content which may alienate some of your readers.

My process involves:

• flagging physical descriptions that do not reflect real-world attributes or employ stereotypes or fetishization
• noting biased, stereotypical, or otherwise offensive portrayals of characters’ behaviours
• using person-first or identity-first language
• differentiating between sex and gender
• using gender neutral and inclusive terms and pronouns
• offering alternatives to commonly used words, phrases, of colloquialisms rooted in the dehumanization of marginalized communities
• identifying ableist language, phrases, and themes

It is ultimately up to you, the writer, to incorporate any of the suggestions and changes I recommend to your manuscript. As a conscious language advocate, I feel strongly about putting out material that does not stigmatize, harm, stereotype, or offend readers. Embracing conscious language helps the evolution of our language standards and the removal of outdated language practices. It also ensures that more people want to read your work.

I include a conscious language assessment in all editorial evaluations. I will also recommend an assessment if I come across any conscious language issues during any other edits that I perform. I may advise an authenticity reading of your material based on its content and your knowledge of the portrayed lived experience.

FEES: $0.01 per word, $100 minimum

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