The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia
Honouring Indigenous Writers
  • Honouring Indigenous Writers
  • Author Readings
  • Other Activities
  • Wikipedia Activities
» Home » Weekly Activities » Week 3 » Update Language

Update Language

Correct out of date or offensive language found in an Indigenous Author article.

Although Wikipedia strives to be an updated and accurate encyclopedia, the website has been around for a long time. Articles written in the past or current editors unaware of language or terms which are offensive, may contain language that is ignorant, not respectful, or outdated.

When updating language, keep in mind Wikipedia’s requirements that all articles are written in a neutral point of view.


Instructions

  • Browse the HIW Author List and see if you can find an Indigenous author’s article that contains outdated or offensive language.
  • Go to edit the article
  • Re-write the sentences or words that need to be changed..
  • Click on “Publish changes”
  • Publish
  • Leave a note in the article’s Talk page and let other editors know why you made this change.

Resources

  • UBC Indigenous Peoples Language Guidelines
  • Terminology Resources (Xwi7xwa Library Research Guide)
  • Wikipedia guidelines on Neutral Point of View
  • Wikipedia Talk pages

Complete this Activity

After you have finished updating the language, let us know by tweeting out the Author article using the hashtag #HonouringIndigenousWriters.


Image Attribution: Featured photo by Orsolya Vékony on Unsplash

Posted in Level 2, Week 3 | Tagged with Editing

Honouring Indigenous Writers
The UBC Vancouver campus is situated within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
The UBC Okanagan campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.,
Back to top
The University of British Columbia
  • Emergency Procedures |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Copyright |
  • Accessibility