In a world where language has the power to shape our perceptions and interactions, a pioneering group of students is challenging the status quo to ensure every voice is heard and respected. The Inclusive Language Instruction Research Group (LangIn, for short) was started in 2022 by six forward-thinking PhD students in the Departments of Spanish & Portuguese Studies (College of Liberal Arts) and Curriculum & Instruction (College of Education and Human Development). Established with an emphasis on promoting the use of gender-inclusive language, its members—Yoko Hama, Fernando González Lesniak, James Ramsburg, Camille Braun, Alejandra Takahira, and Jacky James—aim to foster collaboration among language instructors and create a safe learning environment for all students.
Since LangIn began, its members have largely focused on researching and raising awareness of gender-inclusive language. They’ve presented at a variety of events, including international conferences in Spain and the UK. More recently, they presented at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) here at the University of Minnesota.
