Inclusive language aims to be respectful to others by treating language describing individual and group identity with sensitivity and by avoiding bias that could make some people feel excluded.
Broad terms group diverse populations and traditions together. Be specific where possible and use the subject's preferred term.
For example, Bundjalung Peoples, Sunni Muslims in India
Avoid stereotypes and generalisations about group identities.
Terms that denote identity are sometimes captilised when derived from proper nouns, for example, Egyptian, Buddhist. Some are not, for example, bisexual, graduand
If you are working with an author or writing about a person or community whose preferences are known, follow that preference.
For example, some writers use Deaf to refer to the Deaf community but deaf to refer to hearing loss.
Avoid language or punctuation that undermines a subject's identity. Do not place quotation marks around a word or italicise a word to define a person's or group's identity or to indicate a transgender person's name or pronoun.
When writing about Indigenous and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples you should capitalise as you would when writing about Australia, France, etc. Titles and cultural terms are also capitalised. See below for examples.
First Nations language and/or nation groups, Country
Kamilaroi, Kamilaroi Country
People and positions
Aunty, Uncle, Elder
General/umbrella terms
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, First Nations
Cultural terms
Lore, Knowledge
To learn more see Table 4.1 Guide to writing respectfully about First Nations Australians.