There is offensive language in a description

In some cases, descriptions of archival materials which you may see in a catalogue contain language which is offensive. This can include

• racist language
• ableist terms
• historical descriptions of a cultural group or community that are not how the community choose to describe themselves
• descriptions which are judgemental or exclusionary

Why is offensive language being used?

In some cases, this may reflect the original language of the historical source. One example may be if the original title of an item, such as a report or picture, uses offensive terms. You may notice that the archive service has placed the title in inverted commas, or used the term ‘sic’ to signal that this is the original language e.g. “offensive title here” or “offensive title” [sic]

Keeping original language helps to:

• provide an honest picture of the ways in which oppression and exclusion, such as racism, exist in our heritage
• give a sense of a historic record in its original form

If you find language or content in a description which you find offensive or problematic, please let the holding archive know.

You can find contact details for a repository by clicking on ‘repository details’ next to the description you have found. Archivists are working hard to make their descriptions as accurate as possible, but catalogues often contain a lot of information which was added in the past. It is very helpful to know when something isn’t quite right.