Start cutting the cake because it’s time to celebrate International Plain Language Day which takes place this Sunday, 13 October.

This is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the value of plain English. Plain English is about presenting information in a way that the intended reader can understand and act on it after a single reading.

“Many organisations and government departments that provide information to the public have made lots of progress in applying plain English standards. We are also very optimistic about the cross-party support achieved for the draft Plain Language Bill – a bill we have lobbied for years for,” says Claire O’Riordan, NALA’s plain English co-ordinator.

Through our plain English editing and training service and our Plain English Awards – sponsored by Mason Hayes and Curran – NALA has been instrumental in helping organisations improve their communications. But there is lots more work to be done.

“Today is the perfect time for people to consider how their providers of information are doing. Are the letters and documents you are getting clear? Do you understand your rights and what you are being asked to do from your banks, government departments, legal people and others? We would love to hear your views about what we can do to help further improve the clarity and quality of information for the public,” says Claire.

If you have any suggestions please email Claire O’Riordan at coriordan@nala.ie

For some tips about writing in plain English, please visit
www.simplyput.ie/plain-english-writing-tips

For more information please contact:
Patrick Gleeson, NALA Communications Officer at 01 412 7916 or 086 7925363