{"id":1800,"date":"2021-02-12T08:25:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T07:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.lexsys.de\/einfache-sprache-regeln-und-tipps-fuer-verstaendliche-texte\/"},"modified":"2024-09-20T16:53:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T14:53:08","slug":"plain-language-rules-and-tips-for-creating-understandable-texts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lexsys.de\/en\/plain-language-rules-and-tips-for-creating-understandable-texts\/","title":{"rendered":"Plain Language: Rules and Tips for Creating Understandable Texts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every writer worth his or her salt knows that the more readable a text is, the more work has gone into its creation. After all, writing something that readers can follow with ease is anything but easy. There\u2019s an art to making complex relationships as understandable as possible. Since reading from a screen is more taxing<\/a> than from paper, this is particularly important in texts that appear online. Things are thus trending toward more simplified forms of expression that help readers comprehend such content. In this article, we\u2019ll explain what \u201cplain language\u201d is and the rules you should follow to achieve it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is \u201cplain language\u201d? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During your time at school, you most likely crossed paths with a teacher who told you to write with as much variety as possible: lots of adjectives, different sentence structures, no repetitions of the same words, and so on. This runs somewhat counter to the words of Cicero \u2013 a rather well-known wordsmith of his day \u2013 who once said, \u201cWhen you wish to instruct, be brief.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When writing outside of the classroom, might we suggest trusting a famous Roman orator rather than your well-meaning English teacher? In most cases, your target audience will consist of average Joes and Janes who mainly want information in short order. Creative narrative landscapes and acrobatic prose are all well and good in literature, but not in website content, newsletters, or manuals. If you want your writing to be easily understood, leave out the technical jargon and legalese, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plain language is meant to give readers all the information they need as quickly and simply as possible. Meanwhile, there\u2019s an even clearer form of expression known as \u201csimple language\u201d. Both of these language concepts originated in the plain language movement<\/a>, which emerged in the United States in the late 1960s. At that time, many U.S. citizens had had enough of the convoluted ways in which governmental agencies communicated and began demanding more straightforward information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between simple language and plain language <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In German, the two language concepts differ in terms of their respective target groups. Simple language (leichte Sprache) is specifically geared toward people who face challenges learning \u2013 due to difficulties in reading, dementia, or a simple lack of German language skills, for example. To make things as understandable as possible for these readers, you have to boil your information down to what\u2019s essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike plain language, simple language is established in German law. This means that the country\u2019s federal authorities are required to provide their information in simple language to ensure barrier-free communication. In doing so, they follow a defined set of rules<\/a> (link in German). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plain language, meanwhile, is designed for a much larger segment of the population. Germany is home to an increasing number of people who seldom read, or mainly read short texts. It\u2019s often difficult for these readers to understand complicated material.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plain-language texts are more complex than those written in simple language, but still try to avoid overwhelming the reader. In contrast to simple language, there are no official rules on plain language in Germany. It is based on a number of basic principles that are meant to improve text comprehension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guidelines for plain language <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plain language is meant to reflect the everyday language used by the target group in question. Instead of imitating the language of your readers, you need to write so they can follow what you mean without issue. If your target audience consists of specialists, you don\u2019t have to worry about including some technical terms. Texts intended for laypersons, on the other hand, should avoid that type of jargon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some more tips on how to simplify your texts using plain language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Word choice and sentence structure <\/h3>\n\n\n\n