An Update Regarding Seasonal Illnesses

To help prevent the spread of seasonal respiratory illnesses, we strongly encourage all visitors to wear a mask while in ambulatory clinics or inpatient units. Surgical masks are available at hospital and clinic entrances. Patients with respiratory illnesses should also wear masks. Thank you for helping protect our patients, staff, and community.

Language

Codeswitch

Codeswitch

Verb

Involves adjusting one’s style of speech, appearance, behavior, and expression in ways that will optimize the comfort of others in exchange for fair treatment, quality service, and employment opportunities. The act of code-switching often centers around members of target groups code-switching to minimize the impact of bias from the dominant group.

This is most often used in adjusting language and behavior to assimilate with the majority culture or participate in an ethnic subgroup or subculture.

Source

Harvard Business Review: The Costs of Codeswitching
The National Leadership Honor Society: DEI Glossary

The Glossary for Culture Transformation is a living document to be revised on an annual basis.

Suggested Citation: Office of Equity, Vitality, and Inclusion, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, and Boston University Medical Group. Glossary for Culture Transformation. 2021.

For questions or suggestions, please email wordsmatter@bu.edu