[An-lang] Reflection on language use in our community discussions

[Yuko Kitada]

Dear colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well.

As we continue preparations for ICAL 2027, I wanted to share a brief reflection on how we communicate within our community.

Using terms like "harmful" to describe a colleague's legitimate contribution or concern can unintentionally come across as dehumanization—a form of language that reduces a person to a label rather than engaging with their ideas. This is widely recognized in communication and conflict resolution studies as highly discourteous, even when not intended as such.

Moreover, portraying legitimate concerns as problematic can constitute gaslighting—a manipulative tactic that causes individuals to doubt their valid perceptions. In some jurisdictions, such as the UK under workplace harassment provisions, this can even fall under punishable conduct.

Even in anonymous surveys, the responses are read by human beings. Therefore, we should refrain from any insulting, derogatory, or manipulative language—including dehumanization, gaslighting, and other forms of verbal harm—that could hurt others, regardless of the context.

I believe we all value constructive feedback and open discussion. A small reminder to choose words that respect the person behind the opinion can help maintain the inclusive and collegial atmosphere we strive for.


For the record, I fully trust the local organizers and the Steering Committee. I am confident the conference will go well.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,
Yuko Kitada


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