National Literacy Day
News Release by Cheryl Stephens
Event: National Literacy Day
Release Date: Day after Labor Day
Contact: Plain Language Association International
The Plain Language Association International says:
"Support International Literacy Day
by Using Plain Language for All Your Readers"
The day after Labor Day is International Literacy
Day. Events will take place around the world to encourage:
|
Non-readers to learn to read, and |
|
Readers to read every day. |
All readers have a right to easily
understood information on issues that are important to their
lives--whether those issues concern health, legal rights,
government activities, or consumer services. The
Plain Language Association International is an organization
of plain-language advocates in business, education, law and
government. We believe that writers, too, need to hear a message
on Literacy Day.
Take responsibility for communicating your
message:
|
Use plain language. |
|
Consider your reader's reading skills
and abilities. |
Plain language not only lets writers reach
readers whose skills are not up to the requirements of the
information society, but it is appreciated by all readers.
Gobbledygook raises the level of reading skill needed to function
in a society already making heavy demands--a society in which
information is currency. Plain language helps everyone, while
gobbledygook offends everyone.
Warning notices particularly require plain
language. Life is fraught with tragedy when warnings are not
delivered in clear, appropriate language.
Consider this example and a simplified version:
Before
The synthetic lubricating oil used in this engine contains
additives which, if allowed to come into contact with the skin
for prolonged periods, can be toxic through absorption.
After
Do not leave the engine oil on your skin for a long period of
time. The oil is poisonous. It can go through your skin and into
your body.
After the tragic death of a passenger, the
Toronto subway system changed this sign (confusing in the
circumstances) to the version that follows it:
Before
Emergency: To cut power on third rail, pull alarm. Pull handle,
then pull down lever.
After
Emergency power cut.
To cut power on tracks:
1. Pull handle, breaking glass.
2. Push inside lever down.
For an introduction to plain-language
writing, work your way through the training program developed by
the National Literacy Secretariat, The Plain Train, or read an Introduction to Plain
Language.
Another online resource is provided by the U.S.
government's Plain Language Action & Information Network, http://plainlanguage.gov.
Additional background materials for this
release:
For more information concerning the Plain
Language Network or this news release, contact:
Carol Ann Wilson, PLN Coordinator
National Law Library Inc.
http://www.itislaw.com
4301 Windfern, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77041-8915
Phone: 281-600-6000
Fax: 713-462-7519
E-mail: carolw@itislaw.com
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