Clear language is becoming a priority in many European countries and throughout the world, particularly in the legal, administrative and public sectors. Faced with the growing challenges of understanding complex texts, particularly for vulnerable people (illiterate, cognitively impaired or those with language difficulties), numerous initiatives and organisations have been set up to simplify communications. From international groups such as Clarity International and the International Plain Language Federation, to local networks such as Clea in France and Langage Clair in Switzerland, the aim is the same: to make information accessible and understandable for everyone. This article explores the main European initiatives working to promote plain language, a crucial issue for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Main clear language working groups
Clarity International
Country: Global (with a strong presence in Europe)
Objective: Clarity is an international organisation that promotes the use of clear language in legal, administrative and professional documents. It brings together lawyers, communicators and plain language specialists in several European countries.
Website: www.clarity-international.net
Plain Language Europe
Country: Europe
Objective: This network is a branch of the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), which brings together European plain language experts. They work on initiatives aimed at simplifying communications in various sectors (legal, administrative, medical, etc.).
Website: www.plainlanguagenetwork.org
Clea – Clarity, Language and Law
Country: France
Objective: Clea is a French group dedicated to promoting plain language in the legal field. Its aim is to make legal texts more comprehensible to the general public and non-specialists.
Website: www.clea-lcd.com
Stichting Taal voor Allemaal (Language for All)
Country: Netherlands
Objective: This Dutch organisation promotes the use of plain language in administrative and legal communication. It works with governments and organisations to make documents more comprehensible.
Website: www.taalvoorallemaal.nl
Plain Language Nordic
Country: Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland)
Objective: This network brings together plain language experts from the Nordic countries. They promote the simplification of government and administrative communications in their respective countries. In Sweden, for example, plain language is a national priority.
Website: www.plainlanguagenordic.com
Centre for Plain Language (Zentrum für Verständliche Sprache)
Country: Germany
Objective: This German-based centre focuses on simplifying administrative, legal and public communications, with an emphasis on accessibility for people with reading and comprehension difficulties.
Website: www.verstaendlich.de
Procomunicación Clara
Country: Spain
Objective: This Spanish organisation works to simplify communication in public services, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations. Their work includes rewriting government documents and training civil servants in the use of plain language.
Website: N/A (local network)
International Plain Language Federation (IPLF)
Country: International (European presence)
Objective: The IPLF brings together clear language experts from all over the world, including many European countries. They work together to establish international standards for the use of clear language in different sectors.
Website: www.iplfederation.org
Clear Swiss Language
Country: Switzerland
Objective: This group works to promote plain language in the public and administrative sector in Switzerland. They train civil servants and simplify documents to make them accessible to all citizens, particularly the elderly and people with literacy problems.
Website : N/A
Accessible Information Standard (AIS)
Country: United Kingdom
Objective: This British standard is dedicated to making public information accessible to all, including using plain language for people with cognitive or sensory disabilities.
Website: www.england.nhs.uk/accessibleinfo
European Federation of Clear Communicators (FECC)
Country: Europe
Objective: Network of communication experts aiming to harmonise clear language practices at European level. The FECC offers training and resources for communicators in public and private administrations.
Website: N/A (network under development)
The promotion of plain language in Europe and around the world is based on a network of experts, organisations and governments committed to making communications simpler and more accessible. These collective efforts respond to a growing demand for information equity, where every individual, whatever their situation, must be able to understand and use the information intended for them. Countries such as France, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries and Spain have introduced innovative initiatives to simplify administrative and legal texts. Through these efforts, plain language continues to develop as an essential tool for strengthening democratic participation and social inclusion throughout Europe.