The Contributor
e.g., A developer in Germany.
Your direct, task-focused feedback in a code review might be misinterpreted as rude by a US colleague. You need a shared understanding of communication styles, not just a list of forbidden words.
Beyond the
Word List
A guide for communities seeking to evolve their inclusive language standards for a truly global audience.
The Rise of the Prescriptive Word List
In recent years, many open source projects and tech companies have adopted inclusive language guides. These are typically "prescriptive lists"—collections of terms to avoid (e.g., master/slave, blacklist/whitelist) and their preferred replacements.
This is a commendable and necessary first step. It signals a commitment to creating safer, more welcoming environments. However, for a truly global community, these lists are not enough. Relying solely on a static list of words can create unintended friction, overlook deeper cultural nuances, and fail to address the core challenges of cross-border communication. This guide explores how we can build upon that foundation to foster a more resilient and globally-aware model of inclusion.
Who Is This For?
This guide is for anyone invested in building a welcoming global open source community. We've considered four key perspectives:
The Project Manager
e.g., A maintainer in Southeast Asia.
You manage a team with high-context (e.g., Japanese) and low-context (e.g., Dutch) communicators. You need tools to bridge these deep cultural gaps, which a simple word list cannot provide.
The DEI Lead
e.g., A diversity officer in a US-based foundation.
You see retention for non-US contributors stagnate. You suspect the current language guide, despite its intent, is creating friction and want a more nuanced, evidence-based approach to inclusion.
The Technical Writer
e.g., A documentation lead in Australia.
Your job is to create maximum clarity. A guide that forbids a technically precise term like "dummy variable" without an equally clear alternative forces you to choose between compliance and quality documentation.
From Words to Worldviews
True inclusion requires understanding that contributors are not single-axis beings. Their experiences are shaped by a complex intersection of identities and social constructs. An effective guide must reduce burdens, not add new ones.
The Contributor from a Conflict Zone
For a developer whose reality is shaped by war and instability, the primary need from a community is safety, reliability, and economic opportunity. A lengthy debate over a term's nuance in California can feel profoundly out of touch with their lived experience.
The Older, Non-Native Speaker
An experienced developer from Eastern Europe may face intersecting challenges of ageism and language barriers. The pressure to master a rapidly changing, culturally-specific DEI lexicon adds another layer of anxiety, hindering their ability to share valuable expertise.
The Neurodivergent Contributor
For a contributor with autism or ADHD, social cues can be difficult. They often rely on and prefer direct, literal communication. A culture demanding navigation of unwritten rules and high-context language can be uniquely exhausting and exclusionary.
The Data: A Global Snapshot
To build an effective global strategy, we must first understand the numbers. The data reveals a community that is far more diverse and sensitive to interaction quality than many guides assume.
80%
Of developers are not native English speakers, reflecting a global community where English is a working lingua franca.1
85%+
Of major US-based guides lack specific guidance on non-US legal or cultural contexts.6
59%
Of maintainers have considered quitting a project due to negative interactions or pressure.7
The Transatlantic Chasm
To operate globally, we must understand these fundamental differences. Below are critical examples where North American and European approaches diverge, impacting any global inclusion policy.
Identity & Data: The 'Race' Paradox
Speech & Moderation: The Free Speech Conflict
Feedback & Communication: The Directness Divide
US / UK (Low-Context)
Feedback is often "sandwiched" (positive-negative-positive). Direct criticism can be seen as rude. "Great start! Maybe we could rethink this logic? But awesome work!"
Germany / Netherlands (Low-Context, Direct)
Feedback is often blunt and task-focused. This is considered respectful and efficient. "This logic is incorrect. Fix it."5
Beyond the West
A global guide must acknowledge the vast plurality of communication frameworks. Focusing only on US/European norms is insufficient.
East Asia (High-Context)
Preserving group harmony and "reading the air" is often more important than direct, literal communication. Publicly correcting someone can cause a loss of face.
The Arab World (High-Context)
The concept of "waji" (face) is critical. Communication is often indirect to protect personal honor and relationships. A blunt style can be perceived as a personal insult.
Sub-Saharan Africa (Community-Focused)
Many cultures are shaped by "Ubuntu" ("I am because we are"). This emphasizes community over the individualistic "rockstar developer" narrative.8
India (Hierarchical)
Communication is often high-context and sensitive to hierarchy. Using a senior colleague's first name without invitation can be seen as disrespectful, a nuance beyond simple word choice.
Latin America (Relationship-Focused)
Building personal relationships (personalismo) is often a prerequisite for professional trust. Jumping straight to business without establishing rapport can be seen as cold.
A New Framework
We propose moving from a single, prescriptive list to a more resilient, federated model. This approach fosters true inclusion by focusing on principles and providing support, rather than policing language.
1. Adopt a Principle-Based Core Guide
Establish universal principles like Clarity, Respect, and Empathy. Focus on behaviors, not just words. Explain the 'why': "We strive for precise language and avoid historical metaphors that could alienate community members."
2. Empower with a Federated Model
Allow regional/project-specific supplements. A project in Latin America might add guidance on linguistic imperialism, while a European project adds notes on GDPR. This respects local context and legal realities.6
3. Invest in People, Not Policing
Shift resources from reactive moderation to proactive support. Offer free, optional intercultural communication training. Create mentorship programs that pair new contributors with experienced members for private, supportive guidance.
4. Use AI as an Assistant, Not an Arbiter
Integrate optional, client-side AI tools that act as a private "spell-checker" for inclusivity. These tools can offer suggestions and explanations directly to the contributor before they post, providing a safe learning environment without public scrutiny.
Sources & Reading
- This widely cited industry statistic is a synthesis of data from multiple sources, including the global distribution of developers reported in GitHub's 2023 State of the Octoverse and historical developer population data from sources like SlashData.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "Employer EEO-1 Data Collection." Official information available at eeoc.gov.
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation). See Article 9 on "Processing of special categories of personal data." Full text available at gdpr-info.eu.
- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. See analysis from the ACLU on speech on campus: aclu.org.
- Meyer, E. (2014). The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business. Learn more at the author's site.
- Based on a 2025 review of 12 public inclusive language guides from major tech organizations. Examples include guides from Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Mozilla, which were found to lack specific guidance on non-US legal or deep cultural contexts.
- Tidelift, "The 2021 state of the open source maintainer." This report found 59% of maintainers have considered stopping their work due to feeling unappreciated, user demands, or negative interactions. Available at tidelift.com.
- Gade, C. B. N. (2012). "What is Ubuntu? Different Interpretations among South Africans of African Descent." South African Journal of Philosophy. The paper can be accessed via Taylor & Francis Online.