"Perhaps I am becoming more intolerant with advancing age, but the standards of language seem to be deteriorating. Simple and easily understandable words and phrases are increasingly replaced with tortuous jargon. Saying something in a roundabout way when one simple word would do appears to be considered a sign of erudition and expertise. It is rarely that a letter, an article, or a report cannot be made much clearer by deleting unnecessary words, replacing confusing or inappropriate words and passages, and improving the punctuation."
-- Arvi Parbo, Chairman, Western Mining Corporation
Just about everyone supports plain English. Government, the business community, unions, consumer groups, and the legal profession all recognise the benefits.
Federal, state and local governments are committed to making sure that the public understands their policies, and that their clients understand their entitlements.
Telephone, gas, electricity and water companies know that when they set out their bills clearly, they will get fewer enquiries and complaints. When people understand exactly how much they are being charged and why, they are more likely to pay their accounts promptly. Banks and credit card companies are also making their statements clearer and easier to understand.
Unions want their members to have access to easy-to-understand information about their rights. Consumer groups also know that plain English makes it easier for people to understand their rights.
The corporate sector realises that plain English means good business. Clear documents save their staff time, which saves money. Plain English also improves a company's image, because it lets clients and the public know that they care about communicating with them.
The legal profession -- once the bastion of convoluted language -- also supports plain English. A 1994 survey of barristers, solicitors and legal academics found that the majority supported the use of plain legal language. The legal profession is making legal documents, including legislation, contracts and leases, clearer and easier to understand. Even highly complex laws, like taxation and company laws, are being rewritten in plain language.
Industrial awards are also being simplified. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has stated that, from 1 January 1997, all federal awards must be written in plain English, and easy to understand in structure and content.
5 February 2004