THE finance sector in the UK is making efforts to adopt more inclusive language by banning certain terms that have been criticised for being offensive. UK Finance, a trade body representing British bankers and financial services, recently issued a guide on language that discourages the use of phrases like ‘black market,’ ‘male,’ and ‘female.’
The guide recommends replacing ‘black market’ with ‘illegal market’ to avoid potential racial bias. It also suggests using the term ‘secondary’ instead of ‘slave’ when discussing certain aspects of the sector. The primary aim of the guide is to promote diversity and inclusion in language usage, a matter that UK Finance takes ‘extremely seriously.’
The move towards inclusivity doesn’t stop there. UK Finance has also suggested eliminating terms like ‘grandfather-father-son’ and ‘man-in-the-middle’ due to their implications of age, hierarchy, and gender bias. The use of ‘male’ or ‘female’ connectors in IT is discouraged, with the guide proposing the alternatives ‘male alternative’ and ‘female alternative.’
‘Two years ago we issued a report in conjunction with EY and Microsoft that looked at the issue of language in technology and cybersecurity,’ said a UK Finance spokesperson
While these initiatives have garnered appreciation from those advocating for more inclusive language, there has been criticism as well. Some critics label it as ‘woke nonsense,’ arguing that the focus of bank leaders should be on the country’s economy rather than language issues. ‘You’d think bank bosses would have their focus on the country’s economy rather than this woke nonsense,’ the British Daily Mail newspaper reported Conservative Party MP Nigel Mills as saying.
This development in the finance sector follows similar actions in other industries. London Mayor Sadiq Khan faced criticism earlier for banning the use of ‘ladies and gentlemen,’ aiming to create a more gender-inclusive environment. The guide at City Hall also introduced changes in how migrants and asylum seekers are referred to.
As the UK financial industry takes steps towards greater inclusivity in its language, the debate around ‘woke culture’ continues to spark varying opinions among policymakers, citizens, and industry leaders. The balance between addressing potentially offensive language and maintaining clarity and tradition remains a topic of ongoing discussion in Britain.