SD 'Language Challenge' - Are You In?
We're launching a month of language challenges - ideas to try, to help make the principles of 'Language Matters' (see below) come to life in a practical way!
The aim is for everyone (who wants to) to do their bit to help make the verbal and non-verbal language used in relation to diabetes be that much more, for example, respectful, positive, empathic, collaborative and encouraging. And less judgemental, authoritarian, stigmatising or shaming.
Every (couple of) few* days throughout February, across our social media, we'll be posting a challenge - something you can practically do to influence Language and Diabetes. It might be something to do with words, with looks, or even tone of voice. It might be something you can change in yourself, or something to look or listen out for and mention to others, or something to re-post to literally 'spread the word'. The challenges will be for everyone, whether you work or live or have a connection with any type of diabetes.
Life is busy and there's so much else to do in the diabetes world, so the challenges will be quite small and so, hopefully, 'do-able'. We really hope you'll share your experiences with the challenges via Facebook, Twitter or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Where relevant, we'll be using #sdlangmatters and #languagematters
If you're not on social media and would prefer us to email you the challenges, let us know by dropping us a line on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Let's get us all talking more about the everyday ways we can transform the diabetes conversation!
See Challenge 8 (the finale) here
*realised at Challenge 3 that 2 days was too quick a 'turnaround' for the challenges, so have begun a little more leisurely pace!
Please read on for the various 'Language Matters' documents from the UK and abroad. Other posts in 'SD News' will tell you more about how these have developed.
Read the UK position statement document (opens PDF)
Read the UK review article, published in Diabetic Medicine (opens PDF)
Read the commentary on Language Matters statement, published in Diabetic Medicine (opens PDF)
Read the Editorial on the UK review (opens PDF)
Read the powerful blog #talkaboutcomplications in British Medical Journal (links to BMJ website)
Read the Nursing Times Opinion piece (login may be needed)
Read the Journal of Diabetes Nursing Comment piece (opens PDF)
Read NHS guidance on Health Writing (links to NHS website)
Read NHS guidance on inclusive language (links to NHS website)
Please also feel free to download and peruse the previous documents from other countries, which we've previously highlighted as inspiring and supporting the UK work, via the links below. You can also follow on Twitter via #languagematters
Read the original Diabetes Australia Language Statement (opens PDF)
Read American Diabetes Association (ADA) Task Force Recommendations (opens PDF)
Read American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Article (opens PDF)