Accessibility of language by Ana Kennett

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2025-05-01 11:00:19 UTC

For international people—particularly non-native English speakers—it is important to maintain consistent terminology throughout a document or system. Variations in terminology (e.g., PhD First Year Annual Review, Progression Board Paper, First Year Board, First Year Panel Review) can create unnecessary confusion when first time reading them, even if they refer to the same process. Or add the glossary for the alternatives.

2025-05-05 19:23:02 UTC

2025-05-06 11:18:21 UTC

What continually trips me up - even nearing the end of my studies, is university system by specific jargon, abbreviations and acronyms. There is often an assumption of knowledge about university processes and departments that makes communications more difficult to access and can make one feel like an outsider. Examples include ESALA (Architecture) CDCS (Centre for data, culture and society). EUSA (Students association) EDI or E&D (Diversity) none of which are intuitive. I don’t mind so much in correspondence because you can look them up, but in meetings it feels excluding. I’ve done it myself, so I understand the temptation to abbreviate, but not all PhD students will spend enough time on campus to become fully acclimatised to the jargon so some awareness of this would be very helpful.

Just be direct and honest.

2025-05-06 16:54:29 UTC

Use direct language at all times. Don't use too many "sugarcoating" words. Language used should be "on point" and honest. Also, direct speech (also called "direct communication") is not disrespectful. You can't understand how many times I had to use "sugarcoating" words to make a point in fear that I may be labelled as "rude", "disrespectful" or "aggressive". It never happened of course. I like using facts when I use language. Every single person in the society must be respected without any exceptions, but having to be formal, indirect and impersonal in almost every situation is what I dislike the most.

Personally, I don't find it rude for someone to be direct. I find it rude when someone is uses words to "cover up" honesty. While people will have the "overly nice" filter, in the real world, things are much more direct and absolute. Students must get used to this. Being "overly nice" is the single recipe to give the wrong feedback and perception to someone.