INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE GLOSSARY
To support SMPS’ efforts to become a more inclusive organization and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion across the A/E/C industry, this glossary promotes inclusivity in how we speak, write, and present ourselves. To strengthening equitable and inclusive practices, SMPS strives to provide tools and resources to affect positive change. Words matter. Effective inclusion is intentional and requires raising awareness, planning, and implementation.
The following glossary provides an informative introduction to content our industry uses and provides options to promote a more diverse and inclusive culture. It is not comprehensive and is a living document that will be updated continually. We have included an interactive field for suggestions of new content to be considered for inclusion in the glossary. We look forward to your contributions.
This glossary is anticipated to boost endeavors to expand the use of inclusive content within the A/E/C industry. This method is being used to distinguish the influence of words and other content, with the intention to circumvent the use of content that could disregard or cause harm.
SMPS acknowledges the restrictions of language and challenging ways in which many industry-accepted terms enforce dualistic and static individualities. There are many viewpoints to the definitions and use of all content included in the glossary. We encourage everyone to continue their own learning beyond this glossary and to implement changes to be as inclusive as possible. With that in mind, you will find a curated list of resources for general inclusive content usage. Language, and how it is used, is ever evolving, and as such we must continue to grow and be open to change.
| Term | Definition | Why is it problematic? | Suggested Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction foreman | A construction foreman is responsible for coordinating and supervising a team of crew members. This can involve a wide range of tasks, from training new employees to creating reports for project managers and supervisors. | Gendered term | Site/construction supervisor, sup (US colloquial usage) |
| Craftsman, craftsmanship | A person and especially a man who practices a trade or handicraft as a job; a person and especially a man who is skilled in a craft. | Gendered term | Artisan, craftsperson, artisanship, craft |
| Crew chief | Highest rank of a field crew; one who is in charge of a crew of workers. | Coded language; the word chief has been used as a racial slur therefore can be offensive. | Crew leader |
| Disabled/disabled people | Disabilities are limitations that affect the basic activities of life, such as hearing, seeing, walking, breathing, cognition, and learning. | Identity-first language—where one feels their disability to be an intrinsic part of their identity—calls for othering descriptions such as “deaf person” or “disabled.” | People with disabilities, diverse abilities |
| Final solution | In architecture, the ultimate design developed after exploring several conceptual options. | Coded language, name of Nazi plan for genocide of Jews | Design solution, ultimate solution, final design, solution |
| Foreman | A first or chief person; a chief and often specially-trained worker who works with and usually leads a gang or crew; a person in charge of a group of workers, a particular operation, or a section of a plant. | Gendered term | Job captain, head, leader |
| Grandfathered | In AEC or city planning, an exception due to historical precedent to the current regulations or code, for example, “grandfathered in a clause.” Originated in the American South, with the result of discrimination against Black voters. | Coded language; racist connections | Special case; use “legacy” |
| Handicap, handicapped | In AEC: description of accommodations for people who have physical disabilities (handicapped parking, handicapped toilet). | Identity-first language, considered offensive by the community due to the derogatory history | Accessible: use person-first terminology because the person is more important than their disability. For example: ” the person who is blind”—not the blind person, “the person who uses a wheelchair”—not a wheelchair user. When in doubt, ask the person their preference. |
| Headshot | A photograph of a person’s head; a frame, or a sequence of frames, of videotape or motion-picture film that captures a close-up of a person’s head; a bullet or gunshot aimed at the head. | Violent connotation | profile photo; portrait; close-up |
| Instrument man (I-Man), instrumentman | A surveyor who operates a transit, level, or similar instrument | Gendered term | Instrument worker, instrument operator |
| Man-hour, man hours | In AEC: referenced when working on fees/estimates; General: a unit of one hour’s work by one person that is used especially as a basis for cost accounting and wages. | Gendered term | Brain hours, resource hours, FTE hours, staff resources |
| Man-made | manufactured, created, or constructed by human beings | Gendered term | Human-made, human-caused/induced, anthropogenic (as in climate change); in some contexts, synthetic (eg., chemical components) |
| Manhole/manhole cover | A hole through which one may go especially to gain access to an underground or enclosed structure. | Gendered term | Utility access point |
| Manned | Carrying, staffed, or performed by one or more people | Gendered term | Crewed, piloted, staffed |
| Manpower; man power | In AEC: referenced when working on fees/estimates; General: power available from or supplied by the physical effort of human beings; the total supply of persons available and fitted for service. | Gendered term | Brain hours, resource hours, FTE hours, staff resources |
| Mansafe system | Systems comprising stainless steel wire rope, posts, and fixings provide users with an approved, tested and inspected method of safe access/work. These systems can be horizontal, vertical and overhead. Fall arrest systems allow users to access areas of a roof often close to the leading edge and the fall hazard. | Gendered term | Safety line, fall arrest system, lifeline system, harness line, rescue system, overhead or horizontal lifeline fall protection |
| Master (i.e. “master bathroom/bedroom”); computer servers; MEP control equipment, resume versions, templates; skilled person | Being a device or mechanism that controls the operation of another mechanism or that establishes a standard; being or relating to a master from which duplicates are made; primary or main version of a building room or space. Noun: a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices; skilled, proficient, as in a master builder; one having authority over another; one having control. | Coded language | Primary or main (for computer servers); parent and child vs master-slave; en suite (bathroom); authority, expert, scholar |
| Redline, redline drawings | Any design/construction drawing that shows the viewer changes that have been made on a previously approved drawing; red lines can be done with a red ink pen or any other tool, including 3D rendering software. | Coded language; refers to practice of excluding BIPOC people from certain communities | Markup |
| Rodman | A surveyor’s assistant who holds the leveling rod. | Gendered term | Rod person, survey field level X |
| Tradesman | A worker in a skilled trade | Gendered term | Tradesperson (UK usage); trades worker, artisan, craftsperson |
| Unmanned | Not carrying, staffed, or performed by people | Gendered term | Robotic, unpiloted, crewless, remotely operated, autonomous |
| Workman, workingman | One who works for wages usually at manual labor | Gendered term | Operative (UK usage); worker; laborer |
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