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Why Should You Use Plain Language?
- blinkblink 18y agoWhilst we're on the topic, here is a quote from Yes Minister (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_minister http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_minister): "The identity of the official whose alleged responsibility for this hypothetical oversight has been the subject of recent discussion is not shrouded in quite such impenetrable obscurity as certain previous disclosures may have led you to assume, but, not to put too fine a point on it, the individual in question is, it may surprise you to learn, one whom your present interlocutor is in the habit of defining by means of the perpendicular pronoun."
- technoguyrob 18y agoTranslation: "It's me."
- makecheck 18y agoI highly recommend this read. Among the examples, you'll see plenty of (sadly) typical, overcomplicated phrases, that can often be replaced with a single word. The article also goes into presentation, such as the use of tables. I hope many people take this to heart, because I've seen a lot of despicable writing over the years. I'd love to see more simple, direct language.
- kalid 18y ago"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." – Albert Einstein
- Herring 18y agoMy grandmother is dead, you insensitive clod!
- reazalun 18y agoI have a dream. It is a dream that one day EULA will be written in a plain language.
- orib 18y agoThe problem is that plain language is full of loopholes and double meanings. Legalese is hard to understand, but it tries to be precise and loophole-free.
- reazalun 18y agoYeah it's true generally. However, check the EULA of Google Desktop: http://desktop.google.com/eula.html http://desktop.google.com/eula.html The word "shall" in it can be replaced with "must" to make it more plain. Edit: This is some of the advice from the article: The use of "shall" creates confusion. To impose a legal obligation, use "must." To predict future action, use "will."
- eru 18y agoYes, though legal language is mostly still full of loopholes. Unfortunately.
- s3graham 18y agohttp://www.bartleby.com/141/ http://www.bartleby.com/141/, III especially.
- ars 18y agoAll good advice, except: f) Avoid using gender-specific terminology The convoluted language necessary to do this can make things worse. This sounds more like being politically correct than anything else. Also, I personally hate chapter headings stated in the form of questions. Whenever I see that, I know the next section will be full of useless "don't worry" platitudes.
- LogicHoleFlaw 18y agoA lot of the convolution goes away if you embrace the third-person singular "they". It sounds odd at first but I'm slowly adjusting to it as I hear it more and more.