AMERICANS may find it tough to understand state governments, but US state officials are planning to deploy changes to alleviate state personnel's employment of acronyms, jargon and legalese that routinely pervade interfaces with constituents. Or in plain speak: Talk to the public as you would talk to any other person simply, and in plain language.
The use of plain language is spreading in many areas of American culture. US governments at all levels are trying to use plain language more extensively instead of a specialized language understood only by those on the inside of government.
According to Associated Press, more than 2,000 Washington state employees have attended classes on writing letters, announcements and documents in everyday language since Governor Chris Gregoire ordered all state agencies to adopt the "plain talk" principle. Words like "abeyance" "cease" and "utilize" are out, replaced by "suspension" "stop" and "use".
Gregoire says it's "a long-overdue initiative, but it's bearing fruit."
Though other states have done some similar work, Washington state is believed to be the first to have a full-scale effort, said Thom Haller, executive director of the Centre for Plain Language (CPL) in Washington, D.C. CPL's mission is to urge government and business officials to use clear, understandable language in laws and other public communications.
The government of the District of Columbia started a plain language initiative in 2004, and many federal agencies have plain language programmes as well, Haller said.
There are many writing techniques that define plain language. Among the most common are: logical organization with the reader in mind; "you" and other pronouns; active voice; short sentences; common, everyday words; easy-to-read design features.
Research shows that plain language saves time and money for the writer and the reader. For example, after rewriting one standard letter into plain language, one federal office received only 20 per cent as many inquiries from customers as it had before rewriting the letter, according to the CPL.
Old and new versions of a form from Washington state's Department of Licensing
BEFORE:
If you do not wish to purchase 12 month gross weight at the time of renewal, please contact your license agent to determine the fees due for the number of months you wish to purchase. If you are not sure that purchasing 12 months is a good choice for you, please discuss the options with your license agent before purchasing your tabs.
AFTER:
To license for less than 12 months, contact a vehicle licensing office to determine the amount due.
