NALA: Be more effective: use plain English
NALA’s Plain English Editing and Training Service can help you
Are you confusing the public because of complicated literature and jargon? Most of us don’t like reading through long passages of difficult text to find the main points so why ask others to do so?
Plain English can help because clearer information is more likely to save time, money and possible frustration from making repeated requests for information or clarifying misunderstandings.
For information about NALA’s Plain English Editing and Training Service and for free information on writing in plain English go to onto www.simplyput.ie
NALA’s Plain English clients include:
• The Office of the Pensions Ombudsman;
• The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement;
• The Court Service;
• The Law Society of Ireland;
• The Houses of the Oireachtas;
• The Health Information Quality Association;
• The Road Safety Authority of Ireland;
• MSD Ireland;
• The Health Service Executive;
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland;
• The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland; and
• The Department of Social Protection.
Many of these have achieved the NALA Plain English Mark for their documents.
Contact: NALA, Plain English Unit, Sandford Lodge, Sandford Close, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Telephone: (01) 412 7900 or email coriordan@nala.ie
Simplifying public service language
The Oireachtas has committed to using plain English in order to make public services more accessible to the general public.
A survey of 1,101 Irish residents, not working in marketing or advertising, conducted by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), found that 39 per cent (430 people) find it difficult to understand information from public services and government bodies. This increased to 47 per cent for participants aged 18-24.
Thirty per cent had misunderstood information but had not suffered any serious consequences as a result, while seven per cent had been anxious and distressed from misunderstanding a letter, leaflet or other piece of information. The term ‘pro-rata’ was understood by 61 per cent, ‘stakeholder’ by 81 per cent and ‘in lieu’ by 89 per cent.
NALA has completed a plain English audit of Oireachtas documents, edited a number of key documents and provided plain English training to Oireachtas staff.
Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett commented: “We have to speak in clear language if we want the public to engage with their parliament.”
NALA Director Inez Bailey explained: “It is only fair to give people the information they need in language they understand. This helps them to make informed choices, access their entitlements and meet their legal duties.”