\subsubsection{Slot initializers}
As well as defining slot names and types, a class can also associate an
\emph{initial value} with each slot defined by itself or one of its
-subclasses. A class $C$ provides an \emph{initialization function} (see
+subclasses. A class $C$ provides an \emph{initialization message} (see
\xref{sec:concepts.lifecycle.birth}, and \xref{sec:structures.root.sodclass})
-which sets the slots of a \emph{direct} instance of the class to the correct
-initial values. If several of $C$'s superclasses define initializers for the
-same slot then the initializer from the most specific such class is used. If
-none of $C$'s superclasses define an initializer for some slot then that slot
-will be left uninitialized.
+whose methods set the slots of a \emph{direct} instance of the class to the
+correct initial values. If several of $C$'s superclasses define initializers
+for the same slot then the initializer from the most specific such class is
+used. If none of $C$'s superclasses define an initializer for some slot then
+that slot will be left uninitialized.
The initializer for a slot with scalar type may be any C expression. The
initializer for a slot with aggregate type must contain only constant