The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) is working with members and industry trade organisations to address language and terminology issues that are emerging as discouraging a spirit of inclusivity within the professional audio community.

‘The goal of this project is to introduce and create normalcy around neutral language in the audio industry,’ explains PAMA Inclusion Committee member Dawn Birr of Sennheiser. ‘As we all strive for continuous improvement in our work, personal lives and society, often it’s the small steps that get us to our goals. We hope that by taking these actions we can begin making meaningful change happen over time.’

To this end, PAMA has conducted a survey of member companies regarding ‘problematic language’ (master/slave in clocking references; eliminating male/female in reference to connector topology) and soliciting input on alternative, neutral terminology.

‘The intent is for members to recommend adopting a framework within their organisations for the implementation of unified terminology across the industry, in the spirit of inclusivity and consistency,’ says PAMA Board Chair-Elect and Inclusion Committee member Karam Kaul of Harman Professional. ‘It comes down to treating each other with respect. PAMA is working in collaboration with Audinate and a few other member organisations, using an Audinate framework as a starting point, with additional added elements such as addressing the replacement of gender identification of connectors with the neutral designations plug/socket.’

The result is a document of suggested terms to replace current terminology – PAMA Recommendations for Neutral Nomenclature in Pro Audio – that can be freely downloaded. This is a ‘living document’ that will continue to evolve with ongoing input from the industry at large. ‘PAMA member companies have committed to seeing this initiative through in their individual documentation and communication, thoughtfully applying these guidelines,’ Kaul says.