How to use Latinx? A Quick Guide To Use Inclusive Language in English and Spanish

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness of the challenges that they face. It is also a time to reflect on how we can be more inclusive in our language.

The term Latinx emerged as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino/Latina, which traditionally implied a binary division between male and female genders. The “x” in Latinx serves to include individuals who do not identify within the gender binary, recognizing the vast gender diversity within the Latin American and Hispanic communities.

The use of Latinx is still controversial, and there is no consensus on whether it is the best way to be inclusive. Some people argue that it is a more accurate way to reflect the diversity of the Latinx community, while others argue that it is an artificial and unnecessary term.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use Latinx is a personal one. However, it is important to be aware of the different perspectives on this issue and to choose the language that you believe is most respectful.

LATINX. How to use inclusive language in English:

When incorporating Latinx into English, there are a few key points to keep in mind. First, it is essential to use Latinx as an adjective, noun, or identifier for individuals of Latin American or Hispanic descent. For instance, you can say, “She is a Latinx activist” or “The Latinx community is vibrant and diverse.”

Secondly, be mindful of personal preferences. While some individuals embrace the term Latinx, others may prefer Latino or Latina. It is crucial to respect individual choices and use the term preferred by the person you are referring to whenever possible.

• Instead of using gendered terms like “he” and “she,” use gender-neutral terms like “they” and “them.”
• Instead of using terms like “mankind” and “womankind,” use terms like “humanity” and “people.”
• Be mindful of the language you use when referring to people’s families. For example, instead of saying “my son and daughter,” you could say “my children.”

How to Use LatinX in Spanish:

Adopting inclusive language in Spanish can be more challenging due to its gendered format. However, there are some alternatives that aim to promote inclusivity while respecting the linguistic structure. One commonly used alternative is “Latine,” which drops the gendered ending (-o or -a) and replaces it with “-e.” For instance, instead of saying “Latino” or “Latina,” you can use “Latine.”

Another alternative is the use of “todxs” or “todes” instead of the gendered “todos” (masculine) or “todas” (feminine). This change acknowledges and embraces all genders within the group being referred to. Similarly, “amigues” can be used instead of “amigos” or “amigas.”

• Instead of using gendered nouns, use gender-neutral nouns. For example, instead of saying “los alumnos” (the students) or “las alumnas” (the female students), you could say “los estudiantes” (the students).
• Instead of using gendered pronouns, use gender-neutral pronouns. For example, instead of saying “él” (he) or “ella” (she), you could say “ellx” (they).