Goal: Show how different countries are improving public communication through plain language.
Some European countries have taken the lead in making public communication clearer and more inclusive. From legal frameworks to digital tools, plain language is being recognised as a key to transparency, accessibility, and democratic participation.
Early leaders: Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands
In the 1970s, Sweden made plain language a national priority, aiming to ensure that all citizens could understand laws and public documents. The Swedish Language Council developed national guidelines, and government agencies began rewriting texts for clarity.
In Norway, the “Klartspråk” programme launched in 2009, working across ministries to improve official language. It included training, user testing, and plain language audits.
Similarly, in the Netherlands, plain language has been integrated into digital public services, with the goal of building trust between citizens and institutions.
These countries show that real change comes from political will, cross-sector collaboration, and citizen involvement. Plain language was not treated as a soft skill—but as a civic right.
Other actors: France, Belgium, Croatia, Romania, North Macedonia
Recent initiatives show other countries stepping up. In France, the government now tracks the clarity of administrative language in digital services and encourages the use of tools like Lisible, HECTOR, and U31, which help simplify and test documents using AI and psycholinguistics.
Belgium promotes Easy-to-Read formats through FALC.be, run by Inclusion asbl, and offers an Easy-to-Read version of the Handicap Belgium website. Campaigns like Lire et Écrire target adult literacy across Wallonia.
In Croatia, private innovation leads the way. The tech start-up Omoguru has created tools such as LEXIE and OMOTYPE to support people with dyslexia in reading comfortably on any device.
Romania focuses on functional literacy through national assessments and teacher training, while North Macedonia’s 2024 language law mandates plain language and professional proofreading in all public institutions.
These countries are pursuing different paths—legal, technological, or grassroots—but all share the same vision: making public communication accessible to everyone. Plain language is no longer a niche idea. It’s becoming a European standard of quality and inclusion.
Sources
Clear writing for Europe. (2024, May 23). European Commission