University of Manchester tells staff not to say ‘elderly’ or ‘pensioner’ because terms are ‘ageist’
University of Manchester tells staff not to call over 60s ‘elderly’ or ‘pensioner’ because terms are ‘ageist’ and they should refer to them as ‘mature individuals’ or ‘older people’ instead
- Universities and colleges have published a raft of strict new language guidelines
- The guides tell staff and students not to say things like ‘pensioners’ or ‘OAPs’
- Campuses have also been told not to use phrases like ‘blind’ or ‘diabetic’
- The institutions argue the language has to be followed to avoid causing offence
University and college staff have been told to stop calling older people ‘OAPs’ and ‘pensioners’ for fear of being ‘ageist’.
Officials at institutions including the University of Manchester have ordered staff to call over-60s ‘mature individuals’, ‘older people’ or simply ‘learners.’
The demand comes as part of the latest raft of ‘inclusive language’ rolled out to education establishments that also warns people not to use terms like ‘diabetic’ or ‘blind.’
Instead, they should use ‘person with diabetes’ or ‘people with visual impairments.’
Dozens of universities and schools have adopted inclusive language guidelines for students and staff to follow.
At the University of Manchester, age is part of its inclusive language guide.
It says: ‘Only include age if it is relevant, for example, with initiatives that are only available for a particular age group.
The University of Manchester (pictured) was one of a number of institutions to publish new inclusive language guidelines
Students and staff at the University of Manchester were warned not to use terms like ‘pensioner’ or ‘OAP’
‘Don’t use age as a means to describe an individual or group where it is not relevant, such as ‘mature workforce’ or ‘young and vibrant team’.
‘We actively avoid ageist terms such as ‘elderly’, ‘OAPs’, ‘pensioners’ or ‘youngsters’, instead using terms that are objective.’
It says students should use child, teenager, young people, adults, older people and terms like over 65s.
At Milton Keynes College, such terms are also discouraged.
Its Inclusive Language Guide says: ‘Language is a powerful tool for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, however we all know how it feels when words make us feel left out or devalued.
‘As part of MK College Group’s diversity and inclusion journey, we have produced this guide to avoid inadvertently making people feel excluded or offended.
‘Discrimination through language, whether intended or not, causes offence, patronises and may also be unlawful.’
Speaking about age, it went on: ‘Only refer to someone’s age if it is relevant, for example where courses or funding are only available for a particular age group.
Milton Keynes College (pictued) also published guidelines which said age-related phrases like ‘young and vibrant team’ should not be used as they could ’cause offence’
(Stock Photo) The Free Speech Union said it was ‘patronising’ to assume the elderly would be offended by being called pensioners
‘We do not use age as a means to describe an individual or group where it is not relevant, such as “mature workforce” or “young and vibrant team”.
‘In these cases, it is appropriate to say “experienced workforce” or “effective and vibrant team”.
‘We actively avoid ageist terms such as “elderly”, “OAPs”, “pensioners” or “youngsters”.
‘Use terms that are objective, such as “child” when referring to ages 4-12 years or “young people” or “young adults” for those aged from 13-18 years old.’
The college said forbidden words included ‘kids’, ‘youngsters’ and ‘guys’ and asked people to use the term ‘older people’ instead of the elderly, OAPs or pensioners.
The same guide also told students to be careful how they spoke to those with a disability.
It said ‘diabetic’ or ‘suffers with diabetes’ should be avoided in favour of ‘person with diabetes’ while disabled car park should be changed to accessible car park and those with seizures should never be described as having ‘fits’, ‘spells’ or ‘attacks.’
Meanwhile a person with dyslexia should never be referred to as dyslexic.
And the University of Greenwich has also issued advice on speaking to older people.
It said ‘inclusive language should be reflective and welcoming to our multigenerational colleagues,’ and asked people not to use ‘elderly’ or ‘old’ and instead replace the phrases with ‘mature individual.’
The guides were slammed by free speech campaigners.
A spokesman for the Free Speech Union said: ‘It’s one thing for universities to protect snowflakes from hearing certain words – they might be “triggered” and feel ‘unsafe’.
‘But it’s deeply patronising to offer the same protections to old people. In my experience, most OAPs are tough as nails and the last thing they’re worried about is hurt feelings.’
A spokesman for the University of Manchester said: ‘Our guidance document encourages the use of more inclusive language to avoid bias or assumptions and not to talk to people in ways they might perceive as disrespectful.
‘This is in line with our values and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
‘We believe it is entirely right for us to communicate with people in the most appropriate and respectful way we can.
‘Our approach is in line with most other organisations, who would not use ‘OAP’ in an official communication.’
The University of Greenwich added: ‘The Inclusive Language Guidance is not designed to tell people what to do, rather it is to be of assistance when writing.
‘Language is always evolving and the University of Greenwich welcomes any move towards being more inclusive.’
MK College was contacted for comment.