The concept of plain language has gradually emerged as a response to the challenges posed by the complexity of administrative, legal and professional texts, which are often inaccessible to a large proportion of the population. Over the decades, initiatives to simplify these communications have multiplied throughout the world, driven by the desire to improve the accessibility of information for all, including people in vulnerable situations. From its earliest beginnings in the 1940s to the recent adoption of international standards, plain language has become a necessity in many sectors. This history traces the main stages and developments in this movement, which continues to transform the way governments, institutions and businesses communicate with their audiences.
1940s-1960s: Initial thoughts on simplifying language
- 1940s: The first initiatives to simplify texts were launched, with a focus on the clarity and accessibility of documents. In the United States, lawyers and communicators began to develop the idea that legal texts should be accessible to everyone, including non-specialists.
- 1960s: In Sweden, the government begins to simplify its official communications. This move towards clear communication, particularly in the public sector, was one of the first to take hold in Europe.
1970s: Birth of the clear language movement
- 1973: The clear language movement is officially structured in the United States with the creation of Clarity International, an organisation dedicated to promoting the use of clear language in legal and administrative texts.
- 1979: The British government launches a campaign to simplify tax forms, considered to be one of the first large-scale public initiatives in favour of plain language.
1980-1990: International expansion
- 1980s: The idea of plain language spreads to several countries, with initiatives in Australia, Canada and other European countries. The Nordic countries, notably Sweden, begin to develop policies to simplify the language used in government communications.
- 1993: Creation of the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), an international organisation of plain language experts. It contributes to the dissemination of good practice in various sectors such as legal, administrative and medical.
- 1998: US President Bill Clinton signs the Plain Writing Act, a law requiring public documents to be written in plain language.
2000s: International norms and standards
- 2000s: Several European countries, such as France and the Netherlands, launch projects to simplify their administrative documents. In France, efforts are being made to simplify language in the health and legal sectors.
- 2009: The European Union begins to take a greater interest in plain language, with initiatives aimed at simplifying legal and administrative documents for European citizens.
2010: Consolidation and adoption of plain language
- 2010: The UK adopts the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which requires information provided to citizens to be clear and accessible, particularly for people with disabilities.
- 2011: Creation of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, in which accessibility of information becomes a priority.
- 2013: The Clarity International group holds its first world congress in Europe, consolidating international networks and efforts to promote clear language.
- 2018: ISO (International Organization for Standardization) begins to develop international standards for plain language, including ISO 24495, which sets guidelines for writing documents clearly and simply.
2020s: Rise of digital initiatives
- 2020-2021: The Health Literacy Survey in France and Europe highlights the importance of clear communication in the health sector, with tools such as HLS-NAV (health system navigation) and HLS-DIGI (digital health skills).
- 2023: The adoption of ISO 24495-1:2023 on plain language as an international standard reinforces the commitment of governments and businesses to the simplification of texts.
- Today: Plain language is becoming a priority for many public and private institutions in Europe, with digital tools such as Lisible and HECTOR making it easier to simplify and analyse the readability of texts.