Civil servants have been told to avoid using terms to describe generations of people – such as ‘millennial’, ‘generation X’, and ‘baby boomers’ – because they reinforce negative stereotypes and are potentially offensive (Mail, Telegraph).
Published by the Northern Ireland Civil Service, the Year Zero-style “Inclusive Language Guide” advises staff to “use more neutral, descriptive and person-centric terms to avoid describing someone only in the context of their age”, and “use language which does not reinforce stereotypes or implies that people of certain ages are good or bad at particular things because of their age”.
In this context, the guidance warns that although terms like ‘millennial’ and ‘generation X’ are commonly used to identify different generations born in the second half of the 20th century, they should no longer be used.
Age-related descriptions such as “old-school”, “young-at-heart” and “aged” should also be avoided.
Instead, staff have been told only to mention specific years or decades when referencing their colleagues’ ages.
When interacting with “neurodivergent colleagues” the guidance states that staff should avoid abstract expressions such as “raining cats and dogs” amid fears people may take the words literally.
Terms such as ‘third-world countries’, ‘ex-offender’ or ‘homeless people’ are stigmatising and therefore should be avoided.
On race, the guide advises against using hitherto common acronyms BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) or BME (black and minority ethnic) “as they exclude groups such as mixed ethnicity, Roma, Irish Traveller as well as other minority ethnic groups such as Polish or Lithuanian”.
Elsewhere, the guide advises staff to use gender-neutral language and avoid words such as “love”, “dear” or “darling”.
The phrase “fell on deaf ears” is also deemed offensive to deaf people, according to the guide.
As a general rule, the guide suggests that staff should use “plain English” and “avoid abstract/open questions, imagery and jargon”.
In a foreword, Caoimhe Archibald, Northern Ireland’s finance minister, urged colleagues to “better understand how your language can impact others and make them feel included or excluded”.
The typically progressive, middle-aged millennial politician added: “By taking the time to become more aware of the language we use and by consciously adopting inclusive language practices, together we can ensure that differences within our workplaces and society are positively recognised, valued and respected, making us a better Civil Service for all.”
Speaking to the Mail about this latest example of a taxpayer funded speech code, the FSU’s aged but young-at-heart General Secretary, Toby Young, said: “No one gives a stuff about this sort of language apart from bug-eyed woke activists.
“Apologies if that phrase offends ants,” he added, with all the old-school grace you’d expect from a chap who’s getting on a bit.
The baby boomer continued: “If civil servants want to improve their relations with the general public, they should stop working from home, respond promptly to email queries and pick up the phone occasionally.”
