In plain language and in plain sight around the globe
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1. The document discusses plain language and its use around the globe. It provides examples showing how legal and financial documents can be simplified to be easier to understand. 2. Research shows that plain language improves comprehension and is preferred by readers. Laws and regulations in several countries now require plain language in various documents. 3. The document outlines plain language initiatives and requirements in countries like the US, EU nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others. Resources for plain language are also provided.
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In plain language and in plain sight around the globe
- 1. In Plain Language and in Plain Sight Around the Globe STC France Conference April 15-16 | 2010 Deborah S. Bosley, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English | UNC Charlotte Principal in The Plain Language Group [email_address] Permission needed to use any material in this presentation
- 2. Plain talk: Dirty Harry I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a 44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clear off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?”
- 11. Before Provision in fee agreement Client understands that any estimates provided be the Firm of the magnitude of the expenses that will be required at certain stages of any litigation asserting a cause of action are not precise, and that the kinds and amounts of expenses required are ultimately a function of many conditions over which the Firm has little or no control, particularly the extent to which the opposition files pretrial motions and engages in its own discovery requests, whether in the nature of interrogatories, depositions, requests for production, or requests for admission, or any other type of discovery allowed by the rules of procedures in the forum in which the dispute is pending. (110 words)
- 12. After Provision in fee agreement A firm’s estimate are just that: estimates. Conditions outside the firm’s control, especially the other side’s pretrial motions and discovery requests, may raise or lower expenses. (26 words)
- 20. Before and After Example Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of proxy statement redesigned by The Plain Language Group for Sempra Energy, 2009
- 25. European Commission of the European Union European Commission staff have to write many different types of documents. Whatever the type — legislation, a technical report, minutes, a press release or speech — a clear document will be more effective, and more easily and quickly understood. http://ec.europa.eu/translation/writing/clear_writing/how_to_write_clearly_en.pdf
- 34. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 Maintaining the rule of law: “ First, people must understand that it is in their interests, as well as in that of the community as a whole, that they should live their lives in accordance with the rules and all the rules. Second they must know what those rules are… It is impossible to know the rules of our democracy if these rules are written in abstruse legal language.”
- 38. International Resources Clarity: association promoting plain legal language http://www.clarity-international.net/ Plain Language Association InterNational http://www.plainlanguagenetwork.org/ France: COSLA (Conseil pour la simplification du langage administratif) http://www.thematiques.modernisation.gouv.fr/ Belgium: French Community “Ecrire pour être lu” http://www2.cfwb.be/franca/publicat/pg013.htm
- 39. lnternational Resources U.S. The Center for Plain Language http://centerforplainlanguage.org Italy: CHIARO! http://www.funzionepubblica.it/chiaro/ Netherlands: BureauTaal, first plain language organisation http://www.bureautaal.nl/ Swedish Government support for plain language http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/ 4409 Finland: Selkokieli http://yle.fi/ulkomailla/index.php?id=1332
- 40. International Resources Ireland: National Adult Literacy Agency http://www.nala.ie/index.cfm/section/page/ext/pe/ Portugal: Portugues Claro http://www.portuguesclaro.pt/ Germany: Team in German Parliament http://www.gfds.de/redaktionsstab-beim-deutschen-bundestag/ United Kingdom: Plain Language Commission http://www.clearest.co.uk/
Editor's Notes
- Drafters often lapse into the poor habit of addressing their provisions directly to someone other than the reader for whom the document is ostensibly written. This version, though directed to a prospective client, was more likely directed to the fee-dispute committee of the local bar.
- According to Bryan Garner, Attorney and Author of Legal Writing in Plain English, dozens of lawyer groups have compared the two passages and said that if they were sitting on a grievance committee, they would be much less favorably disposed to the lawyer who wrote the first version.