Author: PLAIN

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With profound sadness and heavy hearts we share the news of the passing on September 29, during PLAIN2023, of our esteemed colleague Mario Tascón. A pillar of the plain language movement, especially in the Spanish-speaking world, and a beacon of inspiration to many and in many languages, Mario’s sudden departure has left an indelible void in our community. His contributions were immeasurable. His presence and generosity will be deeply missed. Yet his legacy will live on with colleagues, friends, and students and with the changes towards clear communication, accessibility, and transparency that he has envisioned, encouraged, and effected with passion, precision, and humility.

We share the words of a dear friend and esteemed colleague, Antonio Martín Fernández:

“It is very difficult to speak in the past of someone you expected to see soon, to hear about his ongoing projects. Mario Tascón was a discreet figure, but of enormous impact, of a legacy that we will continue to notice for years to come.

I would like to dedicate these words to him as if he were right here in front of me, although I know it would have been an embarrassing moment because he was not keen on flattery.

I can say that when I would try to launch a project that I thought was visionary, Mario had already been there and done that; he was part of every project that was truly innovative because he had his sights on the future and his feet on the ground. He was a Humanist in all senses of the word: promoting clear communication as a right was, above all, thinking about for example, the elderly, in terms of specific people. He knew that older people face tough challenges with medical information, so he wanted clear communication to help reverse the situation.

When the Ukrainian refugees arrived in Spain, he and his team launched an explanatory brochure with infographics to help with access to public healthcare. When he worked with Artificial Intelligence, it was mostly to help humans discover their own intelligence. And of course, he was passionate about books, that everyone should have access to them, and that is why he started his very own bookstore in his homeland of Ponferrada. He has been a humanist of science and of letters, striving to give new meaning to language so that we could all understand each other better: from the famous “understandable” fines in Madrid to the exposure of fake news. Mario was a discreet activist of words who went farther than anyone else.

And in his tribute, to be clear, nothing better than to be brief, and thank him for opening so many doors for us. If there is anyone to thank for the impulse of clear communication, of course, it is Mario. Let’s toast to him and his example.”

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Español:

Con infinita tristeza y pesar compartimos la noticia del fallecimiento el 29 de septiembre, durante PLAIN2023, de nuestro queridísimo colega Mario Tascón. Pilar del movimiento del lenguaje claro, especialmente en el mundo hispanohablante, y fuente de inspiración para muchos y en muchos idiomas, la repentina marcha de Mario ha dejado un vacío insoslayable en esta comunidad profesional. Sus contribuciones son inconmensurables. Echaremos mucho de menos su presencia y su generosidad. Sin embargo, su legado perdurará entre colegas, amigos y estudiantes y en los cambios sobre comunicación clara, accesibilidad y transparencia que con pasión, precisión y humildad ha imaginado, fomentado y hecho realidad.

Compartimos las palabras de un queridísimo amigo y colega, Antonio Martín Fernández:

“Es muy difícil hablar en pasado de quien esperabas verlo pronto, saber de sus proyectos. Mario Tascón era una figura discreta, pero de un impacto enorme, de un legado que vamos a seguir notando durante años.

Me gustaría dedicarle estas palabras como si estuviera delante, aunque sé que sería un momento de bochorno porque no era persona de halagos.

Reconozco que cuando yo trataba de lanzar un proyecto que creía visionario, ahí ya había estado Mario; estaba en todos los proyectos que eran realmente innovadores porque tenía la vista puesta en el futuro y los pies en la tierra. Era un Humanista en todos los aspectos: impulsar la comunicación clara como un derecho era sobre todo preocuparse, por ejemplo, por las personas mayores, con nombres y apellidos. Él sabía que lo iban a tener muy difícil cuando a los mayores les quitaran los prospectos de los medicamentos, por eso él quería que la comunicación clara ayudase a revertir la situación.

Cuando los refugiados ucranianos llegaron a España el con su equipo puso en marcha un folleto explicativo con infografías para facilitarles el acceso a la salud pública. Cuando trabajaba con la Inteligencia Artificial, era sobre todo para ayudar a los humanos a descubrir su propia inteligencia. Y por supuesto, le apasionaban los libros, pero que todos pudieran tener acceso a ellos, y por eso impulsó su librería de intercambio en su tierra, en Ponferrada. Ha sido un humanista de ciencia y de letras, esforzándose por darle un nuevo sentido al lenguaje para que todos pudiéramos comprendernos mejor: desde las famosas multas “comprensibles” de Madrid, hasta la exposición de las noticias falsas. Mario era un discreto activista de la palabra que llegó más lejos que nadie.

Y en su homenaje, para ser claros, nada mejor que ser breve, y darle las gracias por abrirnos tantos caminos.
Si hay alguien a quien agradecerle el impulso de la comunicación clara, claro, es a Mario. Brindemos por él y su ejemplo.”

The PLAIN e-journal Vol5 No2 2023 is now available to read for members. We think this edition’s theme Collaboration: The Heart of Plain Language Advancement will complement nicely with the PLAIN conference currently underway.

Visit the PLAIN E-journal page to download your copy. Here’s what you can look forward to in this issue.

Collaboration in this field can come in many different forms: with users, with colleagues, with mentors, with international peers, even with technology. Each form of collaboration is valuable and contributes to the greater evolution of the plain language field. The writers of this issue offer their experience and advice for where and how to seek opportunities for collaboration in plain language. I hope the gathered wisdom here helps you in your current areas of teamwork or perhaps helps you prepare for future opportunities.

1. James Hanington offers insights on cultivating a culture where plain language is ingrained and welcomed from the onset.

2. From the Institute for Language and Folklore in Sweden:

• Ingrid Olsson and Gabriella Sandström introduce a mentor program that pairs new practitioners with seasoned experts, fostering growth on both ends.
• Karin Webjörn showcases how working with terminologists aids in achieving clearer language, referencing her work with the Sustainable Development Group.

3. Victor González-Ruiz shares his experiences and challenges in coordinating localization efforts among Spanish-speaking volunteers for the ISO standard.

4. On the research front:

• Michael A Blasie delves into the extensive array of plain language laws in the US.
• Salli Kankaanpää and Aino Piehl introduce a project examining plain language policies within the EU, emphasizing the potential for international collaboration.
• Mischa Corsius and Wouter Sluis-Thiescheffer present their innovative method of analyzing government documents in The Netherlands and Belgium.

5. In the realm of technology, Emily Halloran explores AI’s potential in enhancing plain language editing. AI, whether one agrees with it or not, is poised to redefine the future of writing.

6. Insights from the Plain Language Academies:

• Kate Harrison Whiteside and Sarah Slabbert reflect on the evolution and future trajectory of collaboration within the plain language discipline.

7. Lastly, Neil James updates readers on the International Plain Language Federation’s ongoing initiatives. While the launch of the first international plain language standard is a milestone, the journey continues with a focus on training, certification, and further collaboration.

Episode one of the PLAIN2023 podcast has dropped!

Lodewijk van Noort (“Ludo” in plain language) will keep you updated with developments and what to watch out for at PLAIN2023.

In episode 1, he talks with speakers and attendees about their experiences highlights the days insights and lessons learnt.

Today Ludo speaks with the organization team of the conference. They will tell us what to expect from the conference and you will get insider tips about the city of Buenos Aires.

The conference is a collaboration with the Observatorio de Lenguaje Claro (OBS) of the Law School at the National University at Buenos Aires.

And that is why we are very pleased to have two colleagues from the OBS as guests: Gisela Candarle and Lucas Koch. We also talk with two board members of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN): Natalia Torro and Irene Stotko.

Many thanks to Rafaela Gunner. She is our translator. You will hear her voice when a Spanish-speaking guest is speaking.

Visit the PLAIN2023 Podcast page here.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the official website for #PLAIN2023!

🔗  Vistit the PLAIN2023 Conference Website 🔗

Detailed Agenda: Stay updated with our planned sessions, workshops, and keynote speakers.
Speaker Profiles: Learn more about our esteemed line-up of industry experts and thought leaders from around the world.
FAQs & Guidelines: Everything you need to know to have a smooth experience.

Join us in shaping the narrative at PLAIN2023! 🌟

Don’t forget to follow our LinkedIn channels for real-time updates!

WordRake Holdings, LLC, maker of WordRake professional editing software is sponsoring Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)’s Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award. Dedicated to simplicity and brevity in writing, WordRake is excited to partner with PLAIN to celebrate innovators in plain language.

WordRake Strengthens Its Plain Language Ties

“WordRake is delighted to join PLAIN in recognizing those who have contributed to the plain language movement around the world,” said WordRake’s Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Ivy B. Grey. “It’s key to serving the public effectively in law, medicine, education, finance, technology, and a host of other fields. We are pleased to celebrate those who have dedicated themselves to advancing these goals.”

With this partnership, WordRake deepens its connection to the plain language community. In October 2022, WordRake introduced Simplicity mode to help writers comply with plain language mandates and make their work more accessible to readers. WordRake Founder Gary Kinder had always believed in the importance of plain language and adding this functionality brought a long-term goal for the software to fruition.

WordRake and PLAIN: Partnering to Recognize Plain Language Innovators

Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) is a non-profit devoted to the promotion of plain language usage around the world. Co-founded by Cheryl Stephens in 1993, PLAIN’s membership includes professionals from more than 30 different countries, representing 15 languages.

PLAIN debuted the Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award in 2019 to recognize individuals and organizations in plain language. Honoring the Association’s founder, the award is given every second year for advancements in plain language in technology, advocacy, research, and professional development. Previous award winners include Professor Katherine McManus and Simon Fraser University for their development of a Plain Language Certificate program, and the Plain Language Academies for their creation of an online plain language education program.

The Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award is given at PLAIN’s biannual conference. This year, the conference takes place September 27-29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nominations for the award are requested by June 26, 2023.

Having collaborated with WordRake in the past as a guest expert on plain language, Cheryl recommended the partnership herself. “Language evolves and so must plain language,” she explained. “With this award, we honor those who have the wit and courage to try something new.”

PLAIN, in turn, is looking forward to highlighting a leading tech tool for plain language editing. “WordRake’s dedication to plain language is undeniable, and we are thrilled to have them as a partner,” shared PLAIN President Joanna Richardson. “Keeping ahead of advances in plain language technology has always been a prerogative of our co-founder Cheryl Stephens and this partnership will reinforce that heritage.”

Who is WordRake

WordRake is a software company based in Seattle, Washington, which creates editing add-ins for Microsoft Word and Outlook. Launched in 2012, WordRake offers over 35,000 editing suggestions to improve clarity, brevity, and simplicity. With the addition of Simplicity mode in 2022, WordRake is dedicated to clarity in written communication. In celebration of Plain Language Day on October 13, 2023, WordRake will once again share interviews featuring a diverse selection of plain language and writing professionals.

A free 7-day trial of WordRake’s editing software is available at www.wordrake.com.

The call for contributions closed on 9 June. Thank you for all the submissions.

The issue will be published September/October 2023.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Teamwork makes the dream work”? To some of us, plain language is already a reality, but for others it’s still a dream. And in order to turn that dream into an everyday tool and civil right, we need to find and work with teammates to help us grow this global movement.

The next issue of PLAIN’s e-journal will focus on collaboration.

We are looking for contributions from colleagues around the world who have perspectives to share on working with others in the plain language field. Articles could cover any aspect of this, such as:

• essential collaborations in plain language work
• unlikely/surprising collaborations in plain language work
• opportunities for collaboration in plain language work
• how to nurture a collaborative working environment for plain language projects
• how to find collaborators
• case studies of projects that relied on collaboration.

We also welcome ideas for interviews with experts and book reviews that are relevant to this topic.

Articles should be short pieces of 800 to 1,000 words. They are all published in English, although we prefer to include a second version in the author’s own language where that is not English.

We aim to include a broad range of perspectives on this topic across different regions, industries, and practices. You do not have to be a member to contribute to the e-journal, but members’ submissions will be prioritized.

Who is your plain language hero?

We all have a plain language hero – think of the person who created a plain language program in your office, or an organization that helped guide plain language legislation in your country.

PLAIN offers you an opportunity to thank those heroes. 

There are two ways you can honor these efforts:

• The Christine Mowat Plain Language Achievement Award – an international award recognizing an outstanding contribution to advancing plain language at the local, regional, national, or international levels.
• The Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award – an international award recognizing innovation in plain language of a PLAIN member.

We look forward to hearing about your PLAIN Hero!

Please submit your nomination by June 26, 2023.

Download the forms

Christine Mowat Plain Language Achievement Award form

Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award form