Plain language
Politicians may shudder or snicker about a memo recently released by United States vice-president Al Gore.
“By 2002, all documents created before October 1998 must undergo a rewrite. New regulations issued after Jan. 1, 1999 will have to be written in plain language,” said a Washington Post story earlier this month.
The memo, signed by president Bill Clinton, was clear:
“The federal government’s writing must be in plain language. By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the government is doing, what it requires, and what services it offers.”
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This includes forms, directives, letters and anything else issued.
Simplifying government language won’t be easy or unanimously desirable. Politicians sometimes intentionally fuzzify terminology to avoid answering questions or to confuse the media and the public. A lot is said, but with little meaning.
What is meant by plain language?
Gore suggested brevity; common, everyday words “except for necessary technical terms”; pronouns such as “you”; and an active rather than passive voice.
How bad is the government gobbledygook?
Gore gave an example from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Ways of exit access and the doors to exits to which they lead shall be so designed and arranged as to be clearly recognizable as such.”
Translation from Gore:
“Don’t put up anything that makes it harder to see the exit door.”
Two hours after releasing the memo about language, Clinton issued another proclamation.
The Chicago Sun-Times said it began: “On March 18, 1998, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) transmitted to the president a unanimous affirmative determination in its investigation under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the “Trade Act”) (19 U.S.C. 2252), with respect to imports of wheat gluten provided for in subheadings 1109.00.10 and 1109.00.90 of the …”
A translation awaits.
