Plain language

The light version is a very easy -to-understand language expression. It facilitates human understanding of texts. Especially useful it is for people who have, for various reasons over a low competence in the German language. It thus serves also accessibility.

Plain Language is other than simple language.

Concept

The set by the security Plain Language principles of light, language are:

  • It uses short sentences.
  • Each set contains only one statement.
  • It can be used active sentences.
  • A comprehensible set consists of the limbs: subject predicate object, such as the child strokes the dog.
  • The subjunctive is avoided.
  • The genitive is in most cases replaced by the dative, eg The house of the teacher. or Teacher's house. by The House of the teacher. or The House by the teacher.
  • Abstract terms are avoided; where they are necessary, they are explained through illustrative examples or comparisons.
  • Pictorial language is avoided, such as bad parents.
  • When foreign words or technical terms occur, they are declared.
  • For long compositions is made clear by dashes, from which words exist, the compositions.
  • Abbreviations are explained at the first occurrence by the expanded form.
  • It will not use child language.
  • Images or movies help to better understand a text.
  • Words are not written in solid capital letters. Text in italics is not used.
  • Texts are clearly designed.

Implementation

Plain Language is intended to improve the independent information search and thus self-determination of adult people who have problems with a complex sentence structure for different reasons, temporarily or permanently, and does not understand foreign words. Official releases are complementary use the easy language for accessibility. The translation into the lightweight language can be very time consuming because for example, a difficulty is that the translation of ambiguous words must come from the intentioned meaning in the text. Some authorities, such as the German Bundestag use on their website in addition to the normal language the easy language.

  • What does the Federal - day?
  • Management of vocational rehabilitation
  • Career Options
  • Social - pedagogical professional service
  • Psychological specialist service
  • Medical professional service

Representatives and promotion

The network Plain Language, inter alia, the National Association of Self-help and self-help group members first man, encourages the use of easy language. For his service with the aim of using simple language the club man first received the Initiative Award of the Association German language in 2009.

The Federation Literacy eV has issued specific recommendations for the easy language in literacy courses.

As a seal of approval for texts in simple language the club Inclusion Europe has a "European logo for easy language " created ..

Subjunctive mood
299014
de