Plain English (sometimes referred to more broadly as plain language) is a generic term for communication styles that emphasise clarity, brevity and the avoidance of technical language.
Plain English is English written to be understood. It is written in a manner appropriate to the range of reading skill and knowledge of its audience. It is writing that has no confusion about meaning, is free of cliché and unnecessary jargon, and is presented in a way that builds understanding. Good Plain English writing has the characteristic that it communicates to an audience that is unfamiliar with the in-house language and knowledge of the writer.
Various campaigns and movements have promoted the cause of “Plain English” in the US and UK since the 1970s. Particular areas of focus are official documents and publications, and the language of Law.
The late Professor David Mellinkoff (of UCLA School of Law) is widely credited with singlehandedly launching the Plain English movement in American law with the 1963 publication of The Language of the Law.[1]
In 1976, the Paperwork Reduction Act was introduced in the US.[2] In 1979, Richard Wydick published Plain English for Lawyers.
In the UK, The Plain English campaign has been campaigning since 1979, "against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information. We have helped many government departments and other official organisations with their documents, reports and publications. We believe that everyone should have access to clear and concise information."[3]
The UK government now promotes the "use of Plain English" and offer advice to those who draft official documents and policy.[4]
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See also
- Plain English Campaign
- Simple English Wikipedia
- Golden Bull Award
- Anglish
- List of Germanic and Latinate equivalents in English
References
- ^ Douglas Martin, "David Mellinkoff, 85, Enemy of Legalese", New York Times, 16 January 2000.
- ^ Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
- ^ http://www.plainenglish.co.uk
- ^ For example, see Improvement & Development Agency/Plain English
Bibliography
- Wydick, Richard C. (1979) Plain English for Lawyers Carolina Academic Press, ISBN 1-59460-151-8 (paperback 5th ed., 2005)
- Rook, Fern Slaying the English Jargon (1992) Society for Technical Communication, ISBN 0-914548-71-9
- Williams, Joseph M. Style, Toward Clarity and Grace (1995) University Of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-89915-2
External links
- Plainlanguage.gov
- Politics and the English Language
- Plain English Campaign
- Plain English Ireland
- The Plain Language Association, International
- The Plain English Movement
- *Office of Investor Education and Assistance U.S. Securities and Exchange, A Plain English Handbook(pdf)August 1998
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