Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)

All PLAIN members are invited to join our first webinar with Charlotte van Hooijdonk of Utrecht University. We are honoured that Charlotte is willing to present her research on the comprehensibility of icons and pictograms.

When: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Where: Online on Zoom
What time: 19.00 – 20.30 Central European Time
About: The sense and nonsense of icons and pictograms

What’s the webinar about?

In this webinar we discuss using icons for more inclusive communication in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium).

At the start of the corona crisis, governments had to communicate about all kinds of new measures that citizens had to adhere to, for example ‘keep 1.5 meters distance’ and ‘avoid crowds’. It was important to share this information in an understandable way, given that Dutch is not the mother tongue of all citizens, and the written word can form a barrier. Icons, highly simplified images that express a message, could help to optimize communication with these groups. The idea is that images are easier to understand than written language. But is that true?

Charlotte van Hooijdonk and Lisanne van Weelden of Utrecht University conducted research into this at the request of the Municipality of The Hague (The Netherlands) and the City of Ghent (Belgium) and on behalf of the Taalunie (Language Union). In this webinar Charlotte presents the striking and sometimes startling results.

Details

The main presentation will be in English. After the presentation we will discuss the implications for PLAIN members in our daily business. We will moderate this discussion in 3 languages: German, Spanish and English.

You can watch the webinar on the PLAIN site.

Reader. User. Audience. Customer. The public. Whichever way you define them, they’re essential to the work we do in plain language. 

The next issue of PLAIN’s e-journal will focus on getting to know your reader.

Call for contributions

We are looking for contributions from colleagues around the world about new developments as well as time-tested methods in understanding the relationship between plain language practitioners and readers. Articles could cover any aspect of this, such as:

• researching target groups
• collaborating with readers
• user testing methods
• inclusion and access
• success (and failure!) stories.

We also welcome ideas for interviews with experts and book reviews that are relevant to this topic. We aim to include a broad range of perspectives on this topic across different regions, industries, and practices.

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.

You do not have to be a member to contribute to the e-journal, but members’ submissions will be prioritized.

If you are interested in submitting an article, please send a message with a summary of your article to publications@plainlanguagenetwork.org.

NOTE: As of 22 March 2022, we are no longer accepting proposals for this issue. 

Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) has welcomed 2 new members to its  Board of Directors:

• Heloisa Fischer (Brazil)
• Lodewijk Van Noort (The Netherlands)

The new board members were elected at the Annual General Meeting on November 10, 2020. The new members bring with them a diverse background – both in their professional experience and in their global perspectives.

The Board spans 5 continents and 11 countries – a reflection of PLAIN’s international development. They will play a vital role in implementing the goals set in PLAIN’s strategic plan for 2021−2025. 

The Board would also like to thank exiting member Vera Gergely for their service on the Board. Their invaluable support with communications and the website was key to PLAIN’s growth over the past 6 years.  

Are you interested in helping PLAIN shape the future of plain language globally? Become a member  today! 

International Plain Language Day is today, October 13 2021.

Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison-Whiteside, the founders of PLAIN, established the day to celebrate and advocate for plain language around the world.

Throughout the past week, we shared ways to celebrate in our social media channels, and we want to share them here today. Do you have a favorite? Do you have a tip you want to share?

• Post it on social media with the hashtag #IPlainDay.
• Share it through our LinkedIn forum.

International Plain Language Day is coming up on 13 October. That’s one week to go and so much we can do to celebrate!

Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison-Whiteside established the day to celebrate and advocate for plain language around the world.

This year’s theme has been “Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right”. We had a two-event conference in 2020 and 2021 in collaboration with Clarity International and The Center for Plain Language.

Here are 3 ways to take part in International Plain Language Day wherever you are in the world.

1. Learn more. You can check out what this year’s conference was about here: https://www.accessforallconference.com/.
2. Join the conversation on social media with #IPlainDay. Tell us why you feel passionate about plain language, what projects you are working on, or what questions or ideas you have!
3. Share your latest plain language project in our LinkedIn forum.

Queremos que PLAIN sea una organización verdaderamente internacional. Por eso, buscamos voluntarios/as que apoyen nuestros objetivos estratégicos a nivel regional; específicamente:  

• fomentar y respaldar iniciativas locales/regionales de lenguaje claro; y 
• reforzar la participación y las acciones en las redes regionales de lenguaje claro. 

¿Qué es un/a embajador/a de PLAIN? 

El embajador o embajadora brindará una perspectiva local a los debates y conversaciones de PLAIN. Además, fomentará los principios del lenguaje claro en su región o idioma y será un punto de contacto para aquellas personas interesadas en ser parte de PLAIN. El embajador o embajadora debe ser pragmático/a, crear o fomentar una red de contactos y estar al tanto de las conversaciones que surgen en el sector. 

¿Cuáles son las tareas del embajador/a de PLAIN? 

El embajador o embajadora de PLAIN debe: 

• servir de intermediario/a entre miembros regionales de PLAIN y la junta directiva (crear red de contactos, difundir mensajes, hacer traducciones cuando sea necesario) 
• promover los principios del lenguaje claro y promocionar a PLAIN en su idioma o región 

Tareas adicionales del embajador o embajadora: 

• crear contenido original en su idioma para redes sociales (por ejemplo, publicaciones, hilos de Twitter, artículos); 
• fomentar la participación y las conversaciones en las redes sociales; 
• localizar iniciativas o recursos de PLAIN; 
• interactuar con redes y expertos/as en su región (por ejemplo: a través de redes sociales, foros, boletines); 
• organizar un evento de lenguaje claro (por ejemplo: hackathon, mesa redonda, webinar); 
• asistir a eventos/reuniones sobre el tema y crear resúmenes para los miembros de PLAIN; 
• difundir iniciativas regionales en las comunicaciones de PLAIN; 
• crear premios o reconocimientos para líderes locales de lenguaje claro. 

¿Cuáles son los beneficios de ser embajador/a de PLAIN? 

El embajador o embajadora de PLAIN tendrá: 

• mayor reconocimiento en la comunidad profesional internacional de lenguaje claro; 
• oportunidad de conectarse con otros profesionales de lenguaje claro y expertos/as de todo el mundo; 
• contacto directo con la junta directiva de PLAIN para analizar iniciativas regionales; 
• apoyo de PLAIN para llevar a cabo las iniciativas regionales; 
• acceso a todos los eventos digitales oficiales de PLAIN (con la promesa de crear resúmenes para miembros); y 
• un logo único de embajador/a para usar en su marketing personal 

¿Cuáles son los requisitos para ser embajador/a? 

 El candidato o candidata ideal debe: 

• ser miembro de PLAIN (1 año como mínimo); 
• poder realizar al menos 3 tareas adicionales; 
• dedicar 5 – 10 horas mensuales a estas tareas; 
• ocupar este rol durante al menos 1 año 

¡Atención! El embajador o embajadora no deberá: 

• utilizar este rol principalmente para marketing personal 
• definir principios de lenguaje claro que vayan en contra de la definición de PLAIN 
• hablar en nombre de PLAIN o representarla en cualquier calidad oficial  

¿Estás interesado/a? 

Si te interesa ser embajador/a regional de PLAIN, escribínos a rd@plainlanguagenetwork.org  

¡Hasta pronto! 

PLAIN-Botschafter*innen?

Um sicherzustellen, dass PLAIN wirklich international und sprachübergreifend wird, suchen wir nach Personen, die unsere strategischen Ziele in der DACH-Region unterstützen.

Speziell:

• um lokale/regionale Plain Language Initiativen zu fördern und zu unterstützen.
• um das Engagement, die Einsichten und das Handeln innerhalb regionaler Netzwerke zu stärken.

Botschafter*innen werden eine lokale Perspektive in die Diskussionen innerhalb von PLAIN-DACH einbringen. Gleichzeitig werden sie in ihrer Region für die Prinzipien der Einfachen Sprache werben und Ansprechpartner*in für Menschen sein, die an einer Mitgliedschaft bei PLAIN interessiert sind. Botschafter*innen sind handlungsorientiert, pflegen positive persönliche Beziehungen, verbinden Menschen und hören sich Konversationen im Umfeld der Informations- und Kommunikationsbranche an.

Wie können Botschafter*innen PLAIN helfen?

Botschafter*innen MÜSSEN:

• Als Bindeglied zwischen den regionalen Mitgliedern und den PLAIN-Vorstandsmitgliedern fungieren (z. B. Menschen verbinden, Botschaften verbreiten, bei Bedarf mit Übersetzungen unterstützen)
• Die Prinzipien der Einfachen Sprache und PLAIN als Organisation in ihrer Region fördern.

Wir suchen Botschafter*innen, die uns ebenfalls helfen, indem sie

• Originalinhalte für soziale Medien in Deutsch erstellen (z. B.: Beiträge, Themen, Artikel).
• Engagement, Einsichten und Konversationen auf Social-Media-Kanälen fördern.
• Plain Language Initiativen oder Ressourcen von PLAIN lokalisieren.
• Sich regelmäßig innerhalb von Netzwerken und mit Experten in der DACH-Region auszutauschen (z. B.: über soziale Medien, Forum, Newsletter)
• Plain Language Veranstaltungen organisieren (zum Beispiel: Webinar, runder Tisch, etc.)
• An relevanten Veranstaltungen/Sitzungen teilnehmen und im Anschluss Zusammenfassungen für PLAIN-Mitglieder verfassen.
• Informationen über regionale Entwicklungen innerhalb der DACH-Region in der PLAIN-Kommunikation veröffentlichen.
• Auszeichnungen oder Anerkennungen für lokale Fachkräfte der Einfachen Sprache gestalten.

Ihre Vorteile als PLAIN-Botschafter*innen?

Botschafter*innen können sich über folgendes freuen:

• Erhöhte Legitimität in einer internationalen professionellen Plain Language Gemeinschaft.
• Gelegenheit, sich mit anderen sachkundigen Plain Language Experten*innen und Praktiker*innen weltweit auszutauschen.
• Einen direkten Draht zu den Vorstandsmitgliedern von PLAIN sowie deren Beratung und Unterstützung bei regionalen Initiativen.
• Zugang zu allen offiziellen digitalen Veranstaltungen von PLAIN (im Austausch für Zusammenfassungen).
• Ein einzigartiges PLAIN-Ambassador-Logo zur Verwendung in ihrem Marketing.

Sind Sie interessiert?

Ideale Botschafter*innen:

• Sind seit mindestens einem Jahr Mitglied bei PLAIN.
• Unterstützen uns bei mindestens 3 der genannten Zusatzaufgaben.
• Sind in der Lage, sich 5-10 Stunden pro Monat für diese Aufgaben zu engagieren.
• Sind an einer langfristigen Beziehung (mindestens 1 Jahr) interessiert.

WICHTIG! Botschafter*innen tun folgendes nicht:  

• Nutzen die Botschafterrolle primär für ihr persönliches Marketing.
• Definieren eigene Plain Language Prinzipien in einer Weise, die der Definition von PLAIN widerspricht.
• Sprechen für PLAIN oder repräsentieren die Organisation in irgendeiner offiziellen Funktion.

Wenn Sie daran interessiert sind, PLAIN als Botschafter*in in der DACH-Region zu unterstützen, melden Sie sich bitte unter rd@plainlanguagenetwork.org

Christine Mowat Plain Language Achievement Award

Christopher Balmford (left) presenting the award on behalf of PLAIN to Cinzia Theobald (center) and Rob Mcindon (right) from Enliven Victoria.

Cheryl Stephens Plain Language Innovation Award

The Cheryl Stephens Award honors Cheryl Stephens (co-founder of PLAIN) and encompasses the recognition to the intellectual contribution of the awardee, as well the gratitude from our plain language community for that contribution. This award is generously sponsored by the Skritswap organization founded by Melissa Kargiannakis, CEO at Skritswap, who is an outspoken and dynamic advocate for plain language.

The Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award is intended to recognize a person or organization whose plain language activities have brought significant benefit to the community through one or more of the following areas:

• Technology–adapting emerging technology to develop new services and systems
• Advocacy–extending the scope and influence of plain language internationally
• Research–strengthening the knowledge base for plain language, or
• Professional development–helping to develop the skills of plain language practitioners and the institutions supporting them

The winner this year has gone above and beyond with development of an online plain language program that addresses an array of needs in plain language training, reflects the plain language process from start to finish, and provides stand-online introductory and advanced courses as well a certificate of combined courses in different languages, starting with English, Spanish, and French, and with plans to add more languages in the near future! Last year, during the height of the pandemic, this team planned the first coordinated multilingual courses in alignment with the upcoming ISO Standard 24495 on Plain Language Principles.

It is with great pleasure that we presented the 2021 Cheryl Stephens Award to Plain Language Academies!

Kate Harrison-Whiteside, Co-Founder and Director at Plain Language Academies,
receives the award from PLAIN’s President Margrethe Kvarenes

Just added! Keynote speeches available on virtual conference platform.

When you register for the Access for All online conference, you get access to:

• Live Event between May 11-13,
• Recordings of live sessions as they come available,
• Recorded keynote speeches, posted on May 4,
• Pre- and Post-Conference Workshops, so far:
  -How to Produce a Comic-style Document here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/AFAFreeWorkshop
  -Clear Communication Workshops: Teaching Techniques to Spark Enthusiasm in Organizations with Guillaume Rondeau and Isabelle Bourgeois of Educaloi
• World Cafes which open at the close of each day’s broadcast until 08:00 EDT the next day!

Keynotes are now available to watch and starting chatting with speakers and fellow attendees!

Discounted prices on registration

Did you know? You can get a discount on the price of registration if:

• you’re a member of PLAIN or attended the previous conference in October 2020
• you live in a lower- or middle-income country
• you want to register a group of 5 or more (contact jess@accessforallconference.org for registration)
• you are a student in university.

Stay connected

Access for All is as much about the conversations that continue afterwards as it is about the talks. Be sure to follow the conference account on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for the latest news.