CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT TO USE ‘PLAIN ENGLISH’ IN DOCUMENTS
The government is being asked to use plain English.
The National Adult Literacy Agency found that almost half – 48% – of adults they polled had trouble understanding official documents from the government.
It is calling on official communication to use everyday words where possible, explain specialised words if they must be used and to keep sentences short.
Inez Bailey is director of NALA.
“Almost 95 percent of Irish adults are in favour of the use of plain English, and about half of the people we surveyed tended to find official documentation difficult to understand – especially that that they would receive from government” she said.