- The Scottish International Development Alliance (SIDA) is behind the document
A taxpayer-funded charity has published a language guide advising Scots to stop using words like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ to avoid them becoming ‘oppressive’.
The Scottish International Development Alliance (SIDA) is backing the document, which it says is aimed at helping people ‘avoid prejudice, stop reinforcing existing power structures and convey respect’.
Words listed as ‘problematic’ include ‘girls’, ‘boys’, ‘mother’ and ‘father’. Instead, people are encouraged to use “parent” or “guardian” instead, along with “colleagues” and “everyone.”
Terms such as ‘third world’ and ‘foreign aid’ are also frowned upon.
The Inclusive Language Guide, published in February, states that ‘only by talking and thinking about language can we hope to make it anti-oppressive’.
The charity says the document aims to help people ‘avoid prejudice, stop reinforcing existing power structures and convey respect’
John O’Connell, (pictured) CEO of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘This organization is proposing language changes based on a radical ideological program’
Critics say the guide is a way for “red-pencil-wielding fanatics” to enforce “radical progressive dogma.”
The charity, which ‘advocates for global sustainable development in Scotland in an inclusive way’, receives an annual grant from the Scottish Government.
SIDA’s guide, which is aimed at its members such as non-governmental organizations and public sector bodies, provides alternatives to words it considers ‘problematic’.
It advises against saying “foreign aid” because it claims that this “paternalistic language implies an unequal power relationship characterized by altruism that denies the inequitable distribution of resources that defines this dynamic.” A better term, the report suggests, would be ‘social development financing’.
A spokesman for the Free Speech Union said: ‘The only word I would ban is ‘problematic’.
“It’s an attempt to cover up the fact that the real reason these red-pencil-wielding fanatics want to ban words like mother and father is to enforce radical progressive dogma.
“Problematic” is a euphemism for “things I would like to ban for narrow ideological reasons.”
The guide states: ‘Only by talking about and thinking about language can we hope to make it anti-oppressive. As part of this goal, we also hope to use ideal language wherever possible.’
One of the terms that advises people to be wary is ‘vulnerable’. The guide states: ‘This term is okay if it is not used paternalistically. So don’t say ‘vulnerable people’ as a synonym for the majority world, but you can say that some groups of people are vulnerable to their circumstances.’
It says that “majority world” is the preferred term for what is commonly called the “third world.”
The charity, which ‘advocates for global sustainable development in Scotland in an inclusive way’, is receiving a grant from the Scottish Government. The photo shows Prime Minister Humza Yousaf
Other words people say to avoid include ‘chairman’ and ‘spokesperson’, where ‘chairman’ or spokesperson’ would be more appropriate.
It also says that members should avoid ‘manpower’ and offer ‘labor’ as an alternative.
John O’Connell, CEO of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘This organization is proposing language changes based on a radical ideological program, using taxpayers’ money as a support structure.
“The Scottish Government must withdraw funding.”
SIDA chief executive Frances Guy said: ‘We make no mention of banning words and are clear that context is important.
‘With specific focus on the terms mother and father, we simply encourage people to consider whether a gendered term is most appropriate, or whether it is in fact referring to a parent or guardian.’