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16 changes: 16 additions & 0 deletions styleguide/bias-free-communication.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Microsoft technology reaches every part of the globe, so it's critical that all
| sales representative | salesman |
| synthetic, manufactured | manmade |
| workforce, staff, personnel | manpower |
| effort hours, person-hours | man-hours |

**Don't use *he, him, his, she, her,* or *hers* in generic references.** Instead:
- Rewrite to use the second person (*you*).
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -87,9 +88,24 @@ countries with states or continents.
| master/subordinate | master/slave |
| perimeter network | demilitarized zone (DMZ) |
| stop responding | hang |
| Blacklist/Whitelist| Denylist/Allowlist |
| Unethical hacker/Ethical hacker | Black hat/White hat |
| Secondary clock, synced clock | Slave clock |
| Stop, terminate | Kill (a process)|

**Focus on people, not disabilities.** For example, talk about readers who are blind or have low vision and customers with limited dexterity. Don't use words that imply pity, such as *stricken with* or *suffering from.* Don't mention a disability unless it's relevant. For more information, see the [Accessibility term collection](~/a-z-word-list-term-collections/term-collections/accessibility-terms.md).

**Clarification Without Assumption.** When explaining concepts, avoid assuming prior knowledge based on the reader's background, thus making your documentation more inclusive to beginners or those transitioning from other fields.

**Ensure inclusivity in depicting roles, user scenarios, and digital engagement.** When illustrating diverse user interactions, consider including a variety of individual and group experiences that go beyond traditional norms.

| **Use this** | **Not this** |
|--------------------|--------------------------|
| Sanity check | Quick check, initial check |
| Placeholder variable | Dummy variable|
| Legacy policy |Grandfathered policy |
| Plug/socket, connector A/B | Male/female connectors |

**Learn more** For more information about writing that conveys respect to all people and promotes equal opportunities, see the [Guidelines for Inclusive Language](https://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/guidelines-inclusive-language "Linguistic Society of America's guidelines for inclusive language") from the Linguistic Society of America.

**See also** [Accessibility guidelines and requirements](~/accessibility/accessibility-guidelines-requirements.md), [Global communications](~/global-communications/index.md)