Conscious language does not equal censorship or getting busted by the language police. It’s about considering the impact language has on different people considering the context in which it is used. It’s about respect, humility, and the willingness to listen to and learn from other perspectives.
This is what I have learned as a longtime subscriber of the Conscious Language Newsletter and from reading The Conscious Style Guide by Karen Yin. In my role as an editor, I want to help produce high-quality, impactful writing.
Part of that is identifying text that an author might want to rephrase in a way that would be more respectful. It’s the writer’s work and their choice to accept or reject any editorial suggestions. I have found that most writers are grateful for feedback. They want to be aware of language that distracts readers, whether that’s language that offends or technical language that confuses (I often work with scientists and have a scientific background myself).
The Conscious Style Guide isn’t just for editors though; it offers practical action steps for anyone who wants to communicate with thoughtful empathy.