FAQ

FAQs

What is Language, Please?

Language, Please is a living resource for all journalists and storytellers seeking to thoughtfully cover evolving social, cultural and identity related issues. With guides, tools, and access to inclusivity readers, it offers necessary context to help newsrooms make informed decisions about the language we use. Language, Please was established by Vox Media with funding from the Google News Initiative’s Innovation Challenge.

How do I navigate the style guidance?

The style guidance is divided into six parent topics: class and social standing; disabilities, neurodiversity, and chronic illness; gender and sexuality; borders and populations; mental health, trauma, and substance use; and race and ethnicity. From the style guidance landing page, you can search every entry across all parent topics, or select a parent topic from the drop-down menu to refine your search. If nothing comes up in your search, try selecting a different parent topic or searching the overall style guidance. (If you still don’t get a result, let us know what term you could use guidance on). Each entry includes context of the term, guidance around usage, additional resources, and links to related terms. The update history shows when the entry was last updated.

What are these resources designed to do?

The style guidance and editorial tools are designed to provide context and evolving insights about each term to help inform decision-making. Language, Please is a living project, which builds on the amazing work so many journalists, academics, activists, and others have done in these spaces; and which continues to grow, update, and improve with input from those in the industry.

How do I suggest a change or addition to the style guidance?

Please get in touch! Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “submit a suggestion.”

How do I find tips on framing, reporting, sourcing, and interviewing?

Check out the Editorial Tools section of the site, specifically the “10 essential tips” one-sheeter and slide deck.

How do I hire an inclusivity reader?

Go to the Inclusivity Reader Directory section of the site to create a login and access the directory. Please note that inclusivity readers are generally engaged as freelancers who set their own terms. While Language, Please provides a directory, you are responsible for vetting and and establishing terms with inclusivity readers.

How do I add myself to the inclusivity reader directory?

Go to Inclusivity Reader Directory > Join the Directory and fill out the form.

How do I remove myself from the inclusivity reader directory?

Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “remove myself from the inclusivity reader directory.”

How do I submit a question?

Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “ask a question.”

How do I submit feedback?

Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “submit a suggestion.”

How do I report a technical issue?

Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “report a problem.”

How do I partner with Language, Please?

We would love to hear from you! Go to the Contact Us section of the site and fill out the form — make sure to select “ask a question.” Someone from the Language, Please team will reach out.