Annetta Cheek is chairwoman of the Center for Plain Language in Washington, DC
Annetta Cheek is chairwoman of the Center for Plain Language in Washington, DC
ANNETTA CHEEK: “Our goal is to get government and business to speak more clearly, to write more clearly to citizens and customers. Because we think that unclear communication -- confusing, bureaucratic, legalistic communication is beyond annoying. It can be harmful to people that don’t understand important information that affects their financial life, their security and what have you.”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: In two thousand ten, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act. This law requires the federal government to use plain language in newly written public documents such as letters, forms and publications. Ms. Cheek says some progress is being made.
ANNETTA CHEEK: “There is movement, but it’s the government. Writing all that material in plain language is going to take a long time.”
She points out that other countries have also taken steps to adopt plain language measures.
ANNETTA CHEEK: “Sweden has the oldest government-wide plain language program. They started a program I think in the late seventies, and I’ve been told that it’s difficult to find a top-level government document in Sweden that’s hard to understand.”
Other countries including Norway, Australia, Canada and South Africa are also making efforts to use plain language more in public documents. However, Ms. Cheek says there has not been as much activity in the use of plain language in Asia and the Middle East.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25