Discrimination frequently occurs due to stereotypes about people's languages, dialects, and ways of speaking. Part of diversity is linguistic diversity and part of inclusivity is linguistic inclusivity. Discrimination frequently occurs due to stereotypes about people's languages, dialects, and ways of speaking. Efforts to include different languages in public spaces and to create a more inclusive public discourse are sometimes perceived as inappropriate policing of other people's language, even by people who generally support diversity and inclusion initiatives.


Linguistics Professors Natasha Abner and Robin Queen discuss ideas about language that can lead to discrimination, as well as the merits and the criticisms of inclusive language efforts, drawing from specific cases that have received national attention as well as significant attention on the University of Michigan campus.