The Simplified blog

Sometime in my first few years as a plain-language practitioner, I was given Robert Eagleson's Writing in Plain English. It became my bible - my copy got dog-eared and worn as I referred to it again and again and again.

Robert Eagleson was just one of the speakers at the PLAIN2009 conference held in Sydney, Australia.

Other speakers that I listened to and met (MET!) included Bill Lutz, Christine Mowat, Dr Susan Kleinmann, Dr Annetta Cheek, Prof. Joe Kimble, Martin Cutts, Prof. Peter Butt and Dr Neil James... And that’s just for starters.

Anyone who has been involved in plain language will be green with envy when they read this list because these are the people who have shaped the plain-language world over the past few decades.

The conference had an international feel, with top plain language advocates and practitioners from Mexico, Portugal, Sweden, the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada…and of course South Africa.

There were also presentations on information design, usability, rhetoric and other associated fields.

My business partner, Candice Burt, gave a much-admired contribution to a plenary session on plain-language laws.

I gave two presentations (on South African plain language and on Marketing). I also reported back as member of the 12-strong International Working Group for Plain Language, which is exploring how to professionalise and develop standards for plain language.

Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about what we learnt from this conference or how we contributed. It is especially important that you keep up to date with developments in setting standards and professionalising plain language. These developments will (or should) affect how our new plain language laws are implemented.

It was fitting that Robert Eagleson gave one of the closing speeches at the post-conference dinner. He ended off reminiscing about his years in plain language - the ‘sheer fun of it and the camaraderie’. Such an inspiring finish.