Plain language around the world

Australia (plain language) 

Plain language in Australia has regained significant traction in recent years, with an increasing emphasis on clear and accessible communication across many sectors.  

The government actively promotes plain language through several resources and guidelines designed to improve the clarity of public documents. One notable resource is the Style Manual, a comprehensive guide for government writing and editing, which underscores the importance of plain language principles.  

Various regulatory bodies and government agencies also advocate for clear communication to ensure the public can easily understand information and services. For example, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is a strong supporter of plain language, urging companies to use straightforward and concise language in financial disclosures and product information. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) emphasizes clear and transparent communication in consumer rights materials and business guidelines. While Australia doesn’t have explicit plain language laws, these efforts highlight a commitment to transparency and simplicity in public communications. 

Standards Australia, the national standards body, played an important role in the development of the international standard for plain language, ISO 24495-1:2023. In 2019, in response to a proposal from the International Plain Language Federation (IPLF), Standards Australia proposed to ISO that it develop an international plain language standard. This demonstrated the country’s commitment to advocating for global best practices in clear communication. In 2024, nearly one year after the publication of the ISO standard, it was also adopted in Australia as an Australian Standard. 

Written by Cinzia Theobald 

Belgium – Flemish Region (heerlijk heldere taal) 

Plain language in the Flemish region has been booming since 2017. Around that time, the Flemish government started a campaign called Heerlijk Helder (“delightfully clear”). It raises awareness about the benefits of plain language and offers support through style guides and conferences.  

In December 2018, the Flemish Governance Decree was adopted, stipulating, among other things, that bodies of the Flemish government should use plain language in their communication. Although the campaign is mainly aimed at civil servants who work for the Flemish government, many other sectors in the region have adopted the principles of Heerlijk Helder.   

When the ISO standard was published, NBN, the national body for standardization, adopted the standard in English and French. There is no translation or adaptation available in Dutch so far. 

Written by Farida Barki 

Brazil (Linguagem Simples) 

In the 2010s, discussions about plain language emerged in various sectors, including government, industry, and academia. At that time, there were no national guidelines or training on the subject. Heloisa Fischer, an entrepreneurial trainee, pioneered this field by developing a method for training and spreading plain language writing skills. Government innovation labs began offering training, with some featuring Heloisa as an instructor, while other researchers conducted investigations to advance the fundamentals of this approach. 

Despite these efforts, the discussion and application of plain language remained limited. Only in 2020, the Brazilian government established guidelines to evaluate a text in plain language, following examples set by local governments such as the State Government of Ceará and the Municipal Government of São Paulo. However, these guidelines were insufficient to advance the use of plain language across the country. Many innovation labs and other government organizations published their own versions and suggestions to guide documents in plain language and started programs to train new professionals within their institutions. 

When the ISO plain language standard was published, many professionals sought to adopt and reference it to boost plain language efforts. However, it was recognized that only a Brazilian standard could truly effect change. In 2023, the Brazilian National Standard Association (ABNT) formed a workgroup to translate the ISO standard, involving professionals already engaged in the field. This collaborative effort resulted in the Brazilian version, ABNT NBR ISO 24.495-1, which was published in July 2024 and is now widely disseminated, reflecting the shared commitment of professionals to advance plain language in Brazil. 

Written by Claudia Mont’Alvão 

Canada (plain language)

Canadians founded the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) in the 1990s. Canada also has a national organization, PLAIN Canada Clair, which supports plain language practitioners’ professional development in both official languages (English and French). Some of the key people in developing the ISO standard are Canadian editors and academics. 

The Government of Canada directs federal departments and agencies to use plain language, and its style guide for web content includes a section on plain language. The information aligns with the ISO plain language standard. 

The national Accessibility Directorate drafted a standard for plain language for federal organizations to be finalized in 2025. 

Canada’s national associations for lawyers and bankers worked together in the 1990s to write plain language guidance for their members. Both organizations continue to implement plain language in their work and more broadly through Canadian society. 

Editors Canada’s Professional Editorial Standards align with the ISO plain language standard. Editors Canada is the national association for professional editors in Canada. 

Several Canadian provinces offer much information in plain language, especially on their websites.  

Written by Nicole Watkins Campbell 

Italy (linguaggio chiaro) 

In Italy, plain language is called “linguaggio chiaro,” “linguaggio chiaro e comprensibile,” or “linguaggio chairo e semplice.” The Italian translation of the ISO plain language standard, published in March 2024, uses the term “linguaggio chiaro.” 

Interest in plain language has been steadily increasing in recent years. Although there is no specific law mandating its use, many laws and official documents emphasize the importance of clear language, particularly in legislation related to consumer rights. 

A significant role in promoting plain language is played by IVASS, the Italian Authority for Insurance Markets, which has called on insurance companies to enhance the clarity of all their documents and contracts. Additionally, the Italian Association of Insurances has published guidelines that follow plain language principles. 

Private companies, particularly in the commodities market, are increasingly adopting plain language practices. However, much work remains to be done in administrative, political, and legal sectors. Laws, public procedures, and decrees are still written in complex, difficult language due to significant resistance to changing entrenched mindsets. 

Written by Lorenzo Carpané 

The Netherlands (heldere taal, Direct Duidelijk) 

The Netherlands places significant emphasis on plain language across various sectors. The largest initiative is called “Direct Duidelijk,” which targets all government organizations. This campaign includes a website, training sessions, workshops, webinars, and more. Many government bodies have established Direct Duidelijk departments to ensure clear communication.  

Numerous companies specialize in making communication more accessible for everyone. The Dutch Language Union (Taalunie) collaborates with Flanders (Belgium) to strengthen ties in this area, as both regions share the same language. While the law doesn’t require to use plain language, there is considerable pressure from entities like the National Ombudsman. Various advocacy groups, especially those representing people with low literacy skills, actively promote clear communication. 

Several official resources are available in plain language: Gebruiker Centraal, Taalunie on Understandable Government Language, and Taalunie on Understandable Legal Language. 

The Netherlands doesn’t have any plain language laws. The ISO Plain Language Standard hasn’t been translated into Dutch or adopted in the Netherlands. 

Written by Lodewijk van Noort 

Norway (klarspråk, klart språk) 

1 January 2022 marked a highlight in Norway’s plain language history: The government implemented the Act relating to Language with a section on plain language which states: “Public bodies shall communicate in plain and correct language adapted to the target group.” This act is the overriding law on language and language use in the public sector. 

Since the 1960s, the government has put in place scattered plain language initiatives. In 2008, systematic action was taken when the high-priority program “Plain language in Norway’s civil service” was set up in response to a key message of a citizens’ conference: People didn’t understand information from the authorities. This message was supported by results from surveys showing that one third of the population didn’t understand letters from public bodies.  

The Agency for Public Management and eGovernment, which had organizational and management knowledge, ran the program together with the Language Council of Norway. The program lasted five years and offered training, organizational development, project funding, a national award, new methods and tools for plain language work and user testing, a website with resources, and more. Over the following years, other important partners, such as the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and the University of Oslo, have carried out other programs such as Plain legal language, Plain language in Norwegian municipalities and Plain language in legal education and research. 

The overall conditions for plain language in Norway are favourable. The programs have been top-down, but the push for plain language is bottom-up: People expect clear communication, and high-quality, user-friendly services. Plain language is a recognized tool to achieve this goal.  

The ISO standard for plain language was adopted as a Norwegian standard on 6 December 2023, and it has been translated into both written versions of the Norwegian language. 

Here are some official plain language resources in Norwegian: 

Written by Torunn Reksten 

Russia (простой язык) 

The general tendency in Russia is to produce clear, concise, and accessible content supported by effective design. Simple and clear language is widely promoted in UX writing and digital communications. 

Even though Russia doesn’t have any laws or standards for plain language (yet), many online resources are written in simple and understandable language to make important information more widely accessible. For example, the government portal Gosuslugi.ru follows the main principles of plain language to provide accessible information about state and municipal services. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation launched the Fincult.info website to give clear financial advice and “form a financial culture among citizens.” The telecommunication company Beeline explains its services in “simple language that everyone understands.” 

In 2018, a project named “Translation into Easy and Plain Languages in Russia” was launched to promote and develop these concepts at all levels and offer educational programs. In 2022, the project group started developing a national standard for plain Russian.

Written by Kristina Levchenia

South Africa (plain language)

Before 1994, only Afrikaans and English were recognized as official languages in South Africa. This policy excluded most of the South African population, who were not proficient in Afrikaans or English, from social mobility, good quality education, and economic freedom.  

When South Africa became a democracy in 1994, the language policy was reconsidered, and all 11 languages are now considered equal. The new constitution created the opportunity to develop a plain language culture in South Africa.  

The South African government enlisted the help of international plain language experts, such as Phil Knight and Christoper Balmford, to draft the new constitution. The draft of the new Constitution underwent a rigorous process of user testing and public participation. 

Today, several South African laws, regulations, and codes of practice require private organizations to use plain language in their customer communication. Section 64 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 defines plain language, reflecting the same focus and outcome as the international definition. 

Plain language is also prevalent in other sectors. The not-for-profit sector, for example, played a leading role in developing public and human rights information in plain language. The topics covered include HIV/AIDS, women’s rights and gender issues, socio-economic rights, and voter education. 

South Africa adopted the ISO standard for Plain Language on 15 March 2024. 

Written by Nadja Green 

Sweden (klarspråk)

In Sweden, plain language in the public sector has a history of more than 50 years. Already in 1713, the king Charles XII ordered official documents be written in “clear Swedish.” 

Four important milestones have contributed to the solid framework for plain language in the public sector today: 

  • 1967: Introduction of plain language guidelines for legal writing  
  • 1978: Establishment of a university program for language consultants  
  • 2006: Establishment of the Language Council of Sweden  
  • 2009: Publication of the Language Act that includes a section on plain language: “The language of the public sector is to be cultivated, simple and comprehensible.”  

The Language Council is a department of the official language authority called the Institute for Language and Folklore (Isof). For anyone involved in plain language, especially in the public sector, the Language Council is an essential source of guidance. It provides tools and inspiration regarding all aspects of plain language, from concrete advice on writing to how to plan, initiate, and conduct plain language projects and comply with requirements of the Language Act. The Language Council also arranges plain language conferences, gives lectures on plain language to the authorities, and supports networking among plain language professionals. 

In 2019, the Language Council conducted a study among 631 public agencies on national and regional level as well as municipalities. The results show that 82 % of the respondents work with plain language and do it with guidance and support from the Language Council. Many agencies employ plain language professionals with a university degree as language consultants. 

The ISO plain language standard has been translated into Swedish, with a “national foreword” that comments on the standard from a Swedish perspective. 

Official resources in plain language from Isof: 

Written by Karin Hansson