Author: Miriam Cintron

Language to Discuss Suicide

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Miriam Cintron, BA, JAMA

Although often regularly used in the past, the term committed suicide may imply that the act of suicide is criminal or morally wrong.1

Likewise, referring to a suicide attempt as a “success” or “failure” implies that “the person who died by suicide has accomplished or not accomplished (a failure) the act of suicide”1 or that death was a favorable outcome.2

Factual and judgment-free language is preferred.1 Language that is careful not to stigmatize suicide, suicidal behavior, or mental health issues3 should always be used. For that reason, terms such as died by suicide or suicide attempt should be used. Such terms contribute to destigmatizing suicide.2

The term suicide should also not be used out of context (eg, “political suicide”) because this may desensitize readers to the term2 or seem insensitive.

Person-first language, which aligns with existing AMA Manual of Style guidelines (chapter 11.12.6), should be used (eg, “person who attempted suicide” instead of “suicide attempter” or “person with suicidal ideation” instead of “suicidal person”).

Avoid:

  • Committed or completed suicide
  • Unsuccessful or successful suicide attempt
  • Failed suicide attempt
  • Suicide epidemic
  • Killed themself
  • Took their own life
  • Ended their life

Preferred:

  • Died by suicide
  • Death by suicide
  • Suicide death
  • Suicide attempt
  • Fatal suicide behavior
  • Person with suicidal ideation

The term “intentional self-harm” should not be used interchangeably with “suicide attempts.”

References

  1. Suicide Prevention Alliance. Changing how we view suicide prevention: suicide language. Accessed March 11, 2024. https://www.suicidepreventionalliance.org/about-suicide/suicide-language/
  2. World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals: update 2023. Accessed March 11, 2024. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/372691/9789240076846-eng.pdf
  3. International Association for Suicide Prevention. The language of suicide. Accessed March 11, 2024. https://www.iasp.info/languageguidelines/

May 31, 2024

Hawaiian Diacritics

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Miriam Cintron, BA, JAMA Network

https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/the-hawaiian-islands/

The islands of Hawaiʻi and its people have a culture rich in history, traditions, and the Native Hawaiian language.

Sadly, use of the Native Hawaiian language began to decline in 1896, when it was banned from schools just 3 years after the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown.1 Without being taught in schools, the Native Hawaiian language became dangerously close to being completely forgotten. By the early 1980s, fewer than 50 children spoke the language.2

A resurgence in cultural pride and identity in the 1970s led to the resurgence of many Native Hawaiian cultural traditions, including the language.

With this in mind, the AMA Manual of Style strives to be accurate, fair, and respectful in reflecting the identities of individuals and groups. The Manual is adding 2 diacritical marks used in Native Hawaiian to the Accent Marks (Diacritics) section (chapter 12.2).

The okina (ʻ) is a glottal stop and the kahakō is a macron (ā) that lengthens and adds stress to the marked vowel.

The marks are used throughout the language, including in many of the names of the main Hawaiian islands (eg, Hawaiʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, and Oʻahu).

Note that Hawaiʻi has 2 official languages according to the state constitution: English and Hawaiian.3 “Hawaiian” is considered an English word, so it doesn’t take the okina.

  1. Hawaii State Department of Education. History of Hawaiian education. Accessed January 19, 2022. https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/HawaiianEducation/Pages/History-of-the-Hawaiian-Education-program.aspx
  2. The Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian language. Accessed January 19, 2022. https://www.gohawaii.com/hawaiian-culture/hawaiian-language-guide
  3. The Constitution of the State of Hawaii. Article XV. Accessed January 22, 2022. https://lrb.hawaii.gov/constitution#articlexv