Barrier-free communication thanks to plain language
An interview with Lea Crescenti
25 November 2022
Open up your communication to an extended target group: Easy-to-read language is more than just a requirement for accessibility. 3pc also offers translations of your texts. Our specialist Lea Crescenti explains what the all-round carefree package includes for you.
Ms Crescenti: We are constantly asked whether we also offer plain language - what exactly is plain language?
Easy-to-read language is basically nothing more than very easy-to-understand language that is particularly aimed at people with learning difficulties: It is about capturing the essence of a message and then simplifying it so that it is accessible to as many people as possible.
A "difficult" text is therefore "translated" into plain language in a special way.
The term is often used in connection with accessibility. Is there an obligation to use plain language?
For some areas, content in plain language is actually required by law, for example for public authorities or social insurance organisations.
But plain language can also be useful beyond that - for example, if your target audience comes from countries where other languages are spoken or your content is (also) aimed at people with dementia.
Fine - but it's not that difficult to choose "easy" words. Anyone can actually do that, right?
Yes, anyone can understand it - but not necessarily use it! The German Association for Easy-to-Read Language has drawn up a whole set of rules for converting normal texts into easy-to-read language. In addition, "translated" texts have to undergo a thorough examination: Only after a review group consisting of at least three people with learning difficulties has nodded them off as truly comprehensible do texts get the official "go!".
But not all that easy ... Speaking of which: I recently read something about "plain language". Is that just another term for the same thing?
No, it's not! Even though the two terms are often used in this way ... The technical definition is as follows: simple language has no fixed rules and varies in difficulty depending on the target group. Roughly speaking, you can use the categorisation for foreign language skills as a guide: Easy Language corresponds to level A1, Simple Language to levels A2-B1.
Ah, I see. - Then the text I read recently was probably in plain language: that sounded a bit unusual!
That's true, especially when you compare it with the original: plain language not only uses a reduced vocabulary, but also a special form. The text is formatted, there are many more hyphens in compound words, important words are emphasised and pictures are added ...
The texts are also organised differently. Everything that is not absolutely necessary for understanding is removed. That's quite a change!
I can just imagine coming to you now and wanting to have my text reformatted - how does that work?
First of all, we start by summarising and streamlining the text content - we often turn the content of several menu items into a maximum of one short page of text. You then look over the result to see whether we have captured the most important points correctly. Then we "translate" - and after that there are two more rounds in which our review group gives feedback on where there are still comprehension problems.
Ok - so if I plan in good time, you take care of everything else?
Exactly! Just get in touch, we offer the certified all-round carefree package for your texts in plain language!
About the author
Involving people and getting them excited about topics: this is the guiding principle behind Lea Crescenti's work in the 3pc editorial team. She draws on both her journalistic experience and her intensive involvement with the topics of inclusion and accessibility. Among other things, she has completed a training course on easy language, which enables her to translate texts in accordance with the rules of the German Association for Easy Language.