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Plain-language laws introduced in the US government

Frances Gordon | 10 June 2008 | 23:49
In April, the Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008 passed the House of Representatives on a 376-to-1 vote.
Its purpose is to 'improve the federal government's effectiveness and accountability to the public by promoting clear communication that the public can understand and use'. (Quoted in Clague, 2008)
In general, this new piece of legislation has been well-received – after all, plain language has been supported by the US government in at least the past two presidencies. But plain-language practitioners are asking important questions about the Act:
  • Is its definition of plain language sufficiently accurate or precise?
  • Does it refer enough to the average reading level of Americans?
  • Is possible to legislate around plain language in an environment with such a strong tradition of small print and legalese?
  • Is it a problem that there do not seem to be repercussions for those who do not comply?
Reference: Clague, B: ‘The The Pitfalls of Plain-Language Legislation’, at River Cities’ Reader, 4 June 2008
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