Microsoft has included a new function in the latest version of its Word software that acts as a checker for inclusivity and offers PC alternatives to phrases which could upset others.
Traditionally, Microsoft Word has offered tools to its 250million users such as checking software for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
But now, the tech giant has added an additional feature which reads through a user’s work and examines whether the language used may offend an individual.
The Sun reports it does this by highlighting phrases focusing on gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity of ‘socioeconomic status’.
The function, which produces a purple line beneath words or phrases it deems to be potentially problematic, can be turned on and off in Word’s settings.
Microsoft Word also used red lines to point out spelling mistakes and green lines for grammatical errors.
After highlighting the inclusivity issue, Word’s new functionality will suggest more acceptable alternatives – which includes changing Postman Pat to ‘mail carrier’ or ‘postal worker’.
The software also suggested altering astronaut Neil Armstrong’s famous quote from ‘one giant leap for mankind’, to ‘humankind’ or ‘humanity’ instead.
Back in 2020, Microsoft also released an update for Word which highlighted a double space as an error.
Current versions of the software highlights the mistaken double space with a blue line, highlighting a grammatical error.
A. Squaretail
I know I was smart to abandon Microsoft products over 15 years ago. Now I look like a freakin’ genius. :)
SundogUK
Meh. This has been around a while and you can disable it anyway. It’s also actually quite fun to see how much offense you can give in a single sentence.
Jerryskids
It would be interesting to be able to know who uses this feature – those are prime targets for advertisers pushing timeshares, Amway, and extended car warranties.
Mike-SMO
Will that have hourly updates to keep up with the current fantasy and mental illness?
OneGuy
I wonder if it highlights calling parents at school board meetings terrorists or saying that white people have privilege?
ErisGuy
Once users have accepted that grammar checkers can implement feminism by suggesting changes, it’s too late to object to grammar changes implementing DIE changes.
Users surrendered decades ago.
steveaz
I’m a botanist so I was at the library searching Google for information on hardy iceplants from the Genus Delosperma.
The computer froze and an alert popped up to say the latin signifier “-sperma” was a prohibited word. I guess a couple of shriveled censorious Karens got their panties in a knot over body functions like sperms and ovums.
I came for the earnest research and left empty headed. So much for “follow the science.”
Seattle Sam
Do they have a feature for when someone writes something unintelligible? Say, like “It’s time for us to do what we have been doing and that time is every day.”
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