Learning Languages in Society with Gabi.

#042- Do we really need LGBTQ+ jargon?

Juan Gabriel Saiz Varona

#042- In  this episode Gabi tells us the reasons why we are better off without all the unnecessary trendy jargon. Let's keep it real, instead..

check out my blog:
https://learninglanguagesinsocietywithgabi.com/blog/

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https://learninglanguage

Hi everybody , my name is Gabi and Welcome to your favorite show learning languages in society with Gabi and today we're diving into the wild world of LGBT+ jargon. Buckle up, folks - this ride's gonna be bumpier than a unicorn on a pogo stick!

Please stick around because otherwise you are going to be missing the number one secret to inclusion! Which I will reveal at the ned of the show.


Picture this: You're at a fancy cocktail party, sipping on your rainbow-colored mocktail, when suddenly someone drops the term "cisgender intersectionality" into casual conversation. Your brain short-circuits faster than a toaster in a bathtub. Sound familiar? Well, stick around, because we're about to unravel this linguistic mystery faster than you can say "neurodiversity"!


But first, let me take you back to a time when words were simpler, and misunderstandings were... well, just as common, but way funnier.


It was 2015, and I was a bright-eyed student at the Faculty of Translation studies. One day, one of the teachers asked me to prepare a presentation on "workplace inclusion for future translators and interpreters.” Now, being the overachiever I was, I decided to pepper my slides with every buzzword I could find. Ally, cisgender, emotional tax - you name it, I included it.


The day of the presentation arrived, and I was ready to dazzle. But as I spouted term after term, I noticed something strange. The rest of the students in the classroom were really quieter  than a mime convention. Eyes glazed over. One person was even quietly Googling under the table!


When I finished, my teacher pulled me aside. "Gabi," he said, "that was... interesting. But next time, maybe try using words people actually understand?"


Ouch! Talk about a linguistic face-plant. But you know what? That embarrassing moment taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, in our quest to sound inclusive, we end up excluding people instead.


Which brings us to our burning question of the day: Do we really need all this jargon?


Now, I know what you're thinking. "But Gabi, aren't these terms important for representation?" And you're not wrong! But here's the twist - what if I told you that sometimes, these very words designed to bring us together might be driving us apart?


Intrigued? Confused? Desperately craving that rainbow mocktail? Let’s dive into why these terms might be doing more harm than good, and I'll share some hilarious alternatives that'll have you snorting with laughter.


Okay, we're about to untangle this linguistic pretzel faster than you can say "corporate social responsibility."


Let's start with a little game I like to call "Jargon or jabberwocky?" I'll give you a term, and you decide if it's real LGBT+ jargon or something I made up while caffeinated. Ready? Here we go:

  1. Genderqueer
  2. Empathy Quotient
  3. Cisnormative Paradigm
  4. Inclusivity Vortex


Time's up! If you guessed that "Empathy Quotient" and "Inclusivity Vortex" were my caffeine-induced creations, congratulations! You're officially more coherent than most diversity training manuals.


But here's the kicker - did you hesitate? Did you wonder if maybe, just maybe, these could be real terms? That's exactly the problem we're facing. When jargon becomes so complex that we can't tell fact from fiction, we've got a communication breakdown on our hands.


Now, don't get me wrong. Terms like "nonbinary" and "intersectionality" have their place. They're important concepts that help us understand complex identities and experiences. But when we start throwing around "emotional tax" like it's Monopoly money, we risk turning important conversations into a game of linguistic Twister.


So, what's the solution? How do we talk about these important issues without sounding like we swallowed a sociology textbook?


I would like to give you the secret to inclusive communication. It will have you connecting with people faster than you can say "workplace inclusion"!


But what secret is that? What is the big reveal? The secret to clear, inclusive communication is... drumroll please...


Simplicity!


I know, I know. It's not as exciting as "cisnormative paradigm." But hear me out. What if, instead of saying "ally," we simply said "supporter"? Instead of "unconscious bias," how about "unintended prejudice"?


These simple swaps can make our language more accessible without losing meaning. And the best part? You don't need a PhD in Gender Studies to understand them!


But don't just take my word for it. Let's revisit my embarrassing presentation moment, shall we?


Remember how my jargon-filled slides put everyone to sleep faster than a lullaby playlist? Well, a few weeks later, I got a do-over. This time, I ditched the buzzwords and focused on clear, simple language.


Instead of "workplace inclusion," I talked about "making sure everyone feels welcome and valued." Rather than "intersectionality," I discussed how "different parts of our identities can affect our experiences."


The result? People were nodding along, asking questions, and actually engaging with the material. One colleague even came up to me afterwards and said, "Thanks for not making me feel stupid this time!"

And there you have it, folks! The power of simple, clear communication. It turns out, you don't need a dictionary to talk about diversity and inclusion. All you need is a little empathy, a dash of creativity, and the courage to keep it real.


So, the next time someone drops a jargon bomb in conversation, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Chances are, they might be just as confused as you are!


And remember, at the end of the day, it's not about the words we use, but the respect and understanding we show each other. Because true inclusion isn't about knowing the right terms - it's about treating people with kindness and dignity.


That's all for today's episode of Lear going Languages in Society with Gabi. Until next time, keep it simple, keep it kind, and for the love of linguistics, please don't use "emotional tax" unless you're actually talking about feelings and money!


This is Gabi, signing off. You’re awesome, and may your conversations be jargon-free!