Bias in Multilingual Writing

How to Avoid Bias in Multilingual Writing

Bias in multilingual writing can distort messages, harm trust, and alienate audiences. Here’s how to avoid it:

Use Neutral Language: Replace biased terms (e.g., “mankind” → “humanity”) and avoid stereotypes.
Respect Cultural Differences: Understand naming conventions, avoid idioms, and tailor visuals to cultural norms.
Be Precise: Research thoroughly, use accurate translations, and consult native speakers.
Avoid Common Biases: Address ethnic, gender, age, and religious biases with context-aware language.
Leverage Tools: Use AI tools like Textio or BeLikeNative to flag bias in over 80 languages.

Avoiding Bias & Stereotypes in Academic Writing

Common Bias Types

Bias in multilingual writing can take many forms, influencing how messages are received across different cultures. Understanding these forms is key to ensuring fair and inclusive language.

Ethnic and Regional Bias

This type of bias appears when language reinforces stereotypes or implies cultural superiority. For example, in 2021, Harris & Associates developed a Hawaiian terminology dictionary for technical documents to respect and preserve cultural heritage. When addressing global audiences, consider these tips:

Use terms preferred by the community.
Avoid language that suggests one culture is superior to another.
Provide context for regional differences.
Offer translated versions when possible.

“The best rule of thumb is to call people by whatever term they prefer, just as you should pronounce their personal name however they want it pronounced. If you are unsure of what to use to describe a certain group of people, just ask members of that group.” – Hult and Huckin

Gender and Age Stereotypes

Bias related to gender and age can shape how messages are interpreted. For instance, negative stereotypes about older adults can lead to “othering” and even poorer outcomes, as highlighted by Yale psychologist Becca Levy. According to the World Health Organization, ageism is linked to reduced quality of life and even earlier death among older adults.Here’s a quick guide to avoid common pitfalls:

Common Pitfall	Better Alternative
Elderly, seniors, the aged	Older adults, people 65 years and older
Mankind, chairman	Humanity, chairperson
Young-old, old-old	Specific age ranges when relevant
Aging dependents	Independent adults

“Reporters often default to ageist stereotypes and language. And despite vast differences in mental and cognitive health of those over 65, many of us, (including journalists), often lump all older people together into a homogenous group.” – S. Jay Olshansky, Ph.D., professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health

Bias in this area often stems from oversimplifications that fail to capture the complexity of large groups.

“Christianity is certainly a dominant identity, but that doesn’t mean that it should be written about as though it is an inherently oppressive identity. Christianity has often been used oppressively by various regimes including the U.S., but what tends to be ignored is that Christianity has also been used to work against oppression. Many of the social organizations and activist movements we know and love today began within Christianity, for example the environmentalist movement, the labor movement, and the civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s began in churches. Writing about Christianity as if it was just one oppressive, dominant entity erases a lot of history and complexity. At its core, Christianity is just another human identity and should therefore be written about with nuance.” – Member of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

To avoid such bias, follow these guidelines:

Research specific sects and social groups thoroughly.
Use precise, non-generalized language.
Prioritize sources authored by members of the community being discussed.

“If [students] are reading about Islam, [they should be reading the work of] Muslim scholars. . . . people always want to go to a Western, quote unquote objective source, or somebody that’s white or that’s an atheist or an ex-Muslim, without realizing the power dynamics of why somebody who’s ex-Muslim would be published [over] somebody who’s Muslim. . . . Recognize that you have to actively seek sources other than what’s presented to you.” – Member of the Muslim Student Union

These examples emphasize the importance of using precise and context-aware language when discussing religious and social groups, ensuring a nuanced approach in multilingual writing.

Writing Without Bias

Neutral Language Choices

Using precise words and phrasing can help eliminate bias in writing. Studies show that biased language can alienate readers and perpetuate inequality.

Outdated Term ❌	Neutral Alternative ✅	Context
Spokesman	Spokesperson	Roles
Policeman	Police officer	Roles
Mankind	Humanity	General use
The disabled	People with disabilities	People-first
Third-world countries	Developing nations	Geographic

BeLikeNative offers multilingual writing tools that can flag potentially biased language in over 80 languages. This ensures your communication stays neutral and respectful across different cultures.Additionally, writing for a global audience means avoiding local idioms or region-specific terms that might not translate well.

Clear Global Language

When writing for a global audience, clarity is key. Avoid idioms and expressions that may confuse readers from different cultural backgrounds.Here are some tips to keep your writing clear and universally understandable:

Replace colloquialisms with straightforward expressions.
Specify dates and times with time zones (e.g., “March 5, 2025, 2:00 PM ET”).
Format numbers consistently (e.g., “1,000.50” for U.S. readers).
Include measurement conversions (e.g., “70°F (21.1°C)”).

“Avoiding biased language starts with knowing what to look out for. Biased language is communication considered prejudiced, offensive, harmful, or hurtful.”

Respecting cultural naming conventions also plays a big role in creating inclusive content.

Proper Name and Title Use

Accurate use of names and titles reflects cultural sensitivity and supports inclusive language practices. For example, in Czech culture, women’s surnames traditionally include the suffix “ova.” A family named “Novak” would have female members referred to as “Novakova”.When working with names, consider the following:

Retain accented characters.
Follow cultural name orders (e.g., family name first in many Asian cultures).
Use appropriate honorifics.
Include both the original script and romanized versions when relevant.

“What’s in a name? Shakespeare’s Juliet famously asked, and the answer depends on what culture you are talking about and what language you are speaking.” – U.S. Language Services LLC

Proper documentation of names should also account for:

Variations in surname combinations.
Extended character sets.
Different name lengths.
Unique naming conventions.

Being mindful of names and titles shows respect for cultural identity and helps build trust with your audience. When in doubt, consult native speakers or cultural experts for guidance.

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Learning About Target Cultures

Understanding cultural nuances is crucial to avoid missteps and create effective multilingual content.

Local Rules and Practices

Certain cultural aspects play a big role in shaping how content is received:

Cultural Element	Focus	Impact on Writing
Social Norms	Greetings, etiquette, taboos	Helps set the right tone
Business Practices	Meeting protocols, hierarchy	Shapes professional communication
Time Concepts	Calendar systems, schedules	Aids in clarifying deadlines and plans
Educational Background	Academic traditions, styles	Guides structure and relevant examples

For instance, the Suja juice brand faced challenges because its name translates to “dirty” in Portuguese, making it less appealing to Portuguese-speaking audiences. This highlights the importance of thorough cultural research.

Moving Past Stereotypes

Steering clear of stereotypes means presenting cultures in a nuanced way. Instead of relying on clichés, aim to explore complex and layered perspectives. Use trusted academic sources, delve into historical contexts, analyze modern art and literature, connect with cultural communities, and consult experts for feedback.

Visual Elements Across Cultures

Cultural sensitivity extends beyond language; visuals also carry weight. Colors, symbols, and images can have vastly different meanings depending on the audience. What works in one culture might be inappropriate – or even offensive – in another.Here’s what to keep in mind when working with visuals:

Color Symbolism: White may signify purity in Western cultures but is linked to mourning in many Eastern ones.
Imagery Selection: Use images that honor local customs and beliefs, avoiding offensive symbols, gestures, or depictions.
Layout Preferences: Some cultures read from right to left, which can influence how information is visually processed. Adjust layouts to accommodate these differences.

Regular reviews and tools like BeLikeNative can help ensure visuals align with cultural expectations.

Tools and Help Resources

Writing Support Tools

There are tools designed to help identify and reduce bias in multilingual writing. Here’s a quick look at some options:

Tool	Key Features	Focus Areas
Textio	AI-powered bias detection, phrase suggestions	Gender, age, cultural bias
Trinka AI	Checks for six types of bias	Gender, race, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation
BeLikeNative	Supports 80+ languages, customizable tone	Cross-cultural writing, translation bias
Fairwords	Real-time monitoring, bias alerts	Workplace communication

For example, Idaho National Laboratory uses Textio to improve their writing practices. Rae Moss shares:

“Rather than depending on the tool to always find things for us, we do periodic checks and use that as a starting point for conversations on ways to prevent bias in our writing”.

While these tools provide technical assistance, having clear writing guidelines is just as important for creating unbiased content.

Writing Guides

Here are some key resources to help maintain fairness and inclusivity in your writing:

Style Guides: Create guides that standardize terminology, promote people-first language, avoid stereotypes, and ensure a consistent brand voice.
Quality Standards: A translation management system (TMS) can help maintain consistency, especially when dealing with updated content. As one expert notes:
“The quality of global content cannot be assured without everyone looking at the same source. I think that versioning is one of the biggest challenges we face in localization. Even once things are in translation, the English source will often still change. The use of a translation management system (TMS) will allow you to make changes more easily.”

Review Process

Once tools and guidelines are in place, a structured review ensures content meets bias-free standards. Eleanor Arlook highlights the importance of self-checks:

“Checklists that force the writer or creator to ask themselves questions like ‘Who is included and who isn’t?’, ‘Am I perpetuating stereotypes or challenging societal norms?’, or ‘Have I sought input from those with perspectives who are different than mine?’ can create opportunities to pause and think”.

Here’s a simple review process:

Initial Assessment: Use bias-detection tools to flag potential issues.
Expert Review: Consult reviewers with cultural expertise.
Language Quality: Perform detailed language checks.
Functionality: Ensure content works well in its intended context.
User Feedback: Collect and analyze feedback after publication.

Conclusion

Creating multilingual content that avoids bias requires awareness of implicit biases and careful attention to language and cultural nuances.Here are some strategies to help:Use Clear and Direct Language: Simple, straightforward language tends to translate better across cultures.

“One of the beauties of language is that it constantly evolves, which means it’s always a valuable exercise to reconsider how we write and how our readers may react to our words.”

Stay Culturally Informed: Keep up with changing terminology and cultural preferences to ensure your writing remains respectful and accurate.

“Continuing to learn and observe how people and groups describe themselves will help you be as accurate and culturally aware as possible, forging connections and understanding rather than reinforcing power imbalances.”

Practical Steps to Take:

Start with implicit bias testing
Get feedback from cultural experts and native speakers
Regularly update your understanding of inclusive language

“This approach to writing speaks to a diversity of readers, allowing them to see themselves reflected in the subject matter and more easily recognize its relevance to themselves and their contexts. It invites readers to engage with ideas directly and constructively.”

The way you write and the words you choose are both key to creating content that resonates with a wide range of readers while avoiding bias. These strategies can help you achieve that balance.