The Importance of Inclusive Language
Written by
Rayyan Monkey
We often hear people use the phrase "It's Just Words" to downplay the impact of what has been spoken, often as a means to pacify any offense caused. However, to me, words are not merely insignificant utterances but hold significant weight. Language, as a social construct, is an incredibly potent tool. It is akin to the power of the construct of "gender" in its capacity to shape and influence our thoughts and interpersonal interactions.
The influence of words is evident in both positive and negative ways. On one hand, individuals have been motivated to achieve remarkable feats of bravery due to inspirational speeches. On the other hand, people have committed heinous acts under the influence of words sometimes driven to despise themselves because of the stigma attached to words. My intention is not to solely focus on politics but rather to highlight the potency of language.
Words possess the ability to shape our world, either through inflicting pain or providing solace. To disregard their power is to normalize their potential impact. For example, the expression "They worked me like a dog" has implications for how we perceive dogs. This phrase is commonly used to describe excessive workloads. Its usage not only impacts our attitudes toward dogs but also affects our perceptions of individuals who are subjected to similar treatment.
Day laborers have also been referred to as "dogs" in a derogatory sense. In this context, working like a dog has negative connotations. It implies that the laborer is working arduously but is low on the totem pole and considered of little value.
The first time I encountered the term "Hijra," it was in a specific context that shaped my perceptions and attitudes towards those who identified with this community, as well as those who expressed gender outside the traditional male-female binary assigned at birth.
This experience occurred in my early childhood when an adult in a position of authority called me a "Hijra" as a way to denigrate me for being annoying. The word was commonly used in popular Bollywood films of the ‘90s and in TV comedy shows, perpetuating its negative connotations. Additionally, my exposure to the term "Transgender" for years, was limited to the categories found on pornographic websites, which further reinforced harmful stereotypes of the community.
All of these contextual factors influenced how I perceived and engaged with a significant aspect of my identity. It was challenging to cultivate self-love when I knew that a fundamental part of myself was met with such virulent hatred, not only from the adults who used the word "Hijra" disparagingly around me but also from society at large, cultural representations, and beyond.
The stigma surrounding words such as "hijra," "kinnar," "aravani," "khusra," and their regional counterparts in India has significantly impacted how people in my life and I perceive and interact with transgender and non-binary individuals. Interestingly, the words "hijra," "kinner," and "aravani" have religious origins and were once considered sacred in reference to the community being identified.
Stigma is a social construct that arises when certain groups are deemed inferior or different from others. This often leads to discrimination, prejudice, and negative attitudes towards these groups. In India, the stigma around gender non-conforming individuals was institutionalized during British colonization, so much so that it penetrated various regional languages.
The power of this stigma is so great that it transformed words that were once revered and held in high esteem into transphobic slurs, now commonly used across India. The transgender and non-binary community is continuously evolving, trying to find new ways to identify themselves and reclaim what was once respected. In this ongoing cat-and-mouse game of words, the community continues to resist the harmful impact of stigma.
The transformation of words like Hijrah and Aravani from terms of honor and reverence to derogatory slurs is a reflection of the stigma and discrimination faced by the transgender community in India.
The Mughal courts regularly understood 'hijra', etymologically as a term describing the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. The Islamic calendar "the hijri" begins from this date in 622. The Hijras themselves were considered noble people seeking sanctuary and freedom from persecution. However, in modern times, the term has been used as a slur and many within the community prefer to use alternative words. Nonetheless, some members of the community have reclaimed the word in an attempt to restore its original significance.
Aravan is still worshipped as a deity in some villages in Tamil Nadu, but the term Aravani is now often considered derogatory. The preferred term for transgender women in Tamil is thirunangai, which means 'respectable woman.'
Similarly, the term Aravani, used in Tamil Nadu, is derived from son of Lord Arjun, Lord Aravan - Lord Krishna assumed female form, Mohini to honor Aravan’s sacrifice and married him for one night as no other woman wanted to marry a man destined to die the next day. Aravan went into battle and was beheaded. Aravan is still worshipped as a deity in some villages in Tamil Nadu, but the term Aravani is now often considered derogatory. The preferred term for transgender women in Tamil is thirunangai, which means 'respectable woman.'
The transformation of these words from reverence to insults highlights the power of language and how it can be used to both oppress and empower marginalized groups. The struggle to reclaim these terms is part of a larger effort to fight stigma and promote acceptance and respect for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
The stigma surrounding transgender identities is often internalized, making it difficult for individuals to identify with those represented by derogatory terms. This hinders self-expression and personal growth.
Transgender activists, like Manabi Bandopadhyay, play an important role in changing misconceptions and misinformation around the community. As India's first transgender principal and a Ph.D. holder, Bandopadhyay advocates for the use of inclusive language, especially in regional languages. Often working at the school level, she has advocated for the use of gender-neutral pronouns and terms in Bengali, such as ‘tini’ instead of ‘uni’ or ‘shei’, and ‘manush’ instead of ‘purush’ or 'nari’.
There are inclusive language guides you can refer to, or maybe work with folks on putting together one for a local language you use. Here are three things to keep in mind;
As individuals, we have a responsibility to choose our words carefully to avoid language that excludes, harms, or devalues others. Inclusive language allows us to expand our perspectives and learn from others' experiences while challenging stereotypes and prejudices in our culture and language. Ultimately, it creates a more welcoming and equitable society for all.