NOTE: We are no longer accepting submissions for this issue.
The next issue of PLAIN’s e-journal will focus on the current work in professionalizing plain language, such as through standards, certification and training.
At the 2009 PLAIN Conference in Sydney, a working group released a draft options paper that led to the:
- creation of the International Plain Language Federation (which includes PLAIN)
- development of a common definition for plain language
- drafting of the ISO plain language standard.
In 2021, the Federation is embarking on the next round of its agenda:
- localizing the ISO standard
- certification
- training for practitioners.
Call for contributions
We are looking for contributions from colleagues around the world to update members about this activity and to explore how it will reshape the work that we all do. Alongside articles from some of the key people involved in the Federation working groups, we aim to include perspectives on these topics from the PLAIN membership more broadly.
Articles could cover any aspect of this push to professionalize plain language, such as:
- translating the definition
- implementing the ISO standards
- localizing standards in different languages and countries
- training and certification
- advocating for plain language
- strengthening the research base.
Articles should be short pieces of 800 to 1,000 words. They are all published in English, although we prefer to include a second version in the author’s own language where that is not English.
Contributions are due in April 2021 and we plan to publish the e-journal in July 2021.
If you are interested in submitting an article, please send a message to publications@plainlanguagenetwork.org.