Inclusive Language: Detecting Linguistic Features of Inclusivity in Texts Related to the Reception and Integration of Migrant People in Portugal

Abstract

This paper investigates how linguistic features contribute to the expression of inclusivity and exclusivity in texts targeting or referring to migrant populations in Portugal. While inclusive language has gained increasing relevance in political, social, and institutional discourse, its concrete linguistic realization remains insufficiently described and systematized. Drawing on a corpus-based approach, this study combines insights from discourse analysis and corpus linguistics to identify and classify linguistic features that signal inclusive or exclusive language use, with the broader goal of contributing to a more objective and operational definition of inclusivity in public communication. The research is grounded in the theoretical premise that language is a social and ideological practice, shaped by and shaping power relations and social identities. The corpus comprises texts collected from diverse sources—public administration, social organizations, and the media—produced between 2014 and 2023. These were classified and annotated according to three categories: inclusive, neutral, and exclusive. The annotation task, validated through a survey distributed among migrant individuals and content producers, allowed for both quantitative and qualitative analyses, combining frequency-based insights with contextual interpretation. Results reveal that inclusivity and exclusivity are expressed through multiple linguistic dimensions, including lexical choices and grammatical constructions. Key inclusive markers include modal verbs, first-person forms, gender-neutral expressions, and universal quantifiers, whereas exclusivity is often conveyed through lack of group neutralization, “us versus them” distinctions, and economic framing. The findings underscore the contextual nature of inclusive language, showing that identical linguistic forms may convey opposite meanings depending on their discursive framing. By systematically identifying the linguistic features that foster or hinder the expression of inclusivity, this study contributes to refining theoretical perspectives on inclusive language and offers empirical foundations for developing practical guidelines and digital tools to support equitable communication with and about migrant communities.