Plain English Campaign

Fighting for crystal-clear communication since 1979

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Plain English Campaign

Our coffee cup overflows with jargon

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A number of people have complained to us that they cannot get a 'small' measure of coffee and are often only given the choice between a 'regular' or 'large'. Costa Coffee label their sizes as 'primo', 'medio' and assimo- translating to small, medium and large. Coffee Republic and Caffe Nero use 'small' and 'regular', and so it goes on.

It's about image, competition and perhaps a little bit about what the food industry calls 'product sabotage', - when a company deliberately drives customers towards certain products at the cost of not promoting other, possibly better, options.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:00 Read more...
 

Welcome to Plain English Campaign

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Since 1979, we have been campaigning against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information. We have helped many government departments and other official organisations with their documents, reports and publications. We believe that everyone should have access to clear and concise information. Welcome

The campaign officially began after founder Chrissie Maher OBE publicly shredded hundreds of official documents in Parliament Square, London. Entirely independent, the campaign funds itself through its commercial services, which include editing and training. We have worked with thousands of organisations ranging from UK Government departments to World Bowls, helping them make sure their public information is as clear as possible.

We have over 12,000 members in 80 countries and our Crystal Mark is now firmly established as a guarantee that a document is written in plain English. It appears on more than 18,300 documents.

Last Updated on Sunday, 18 October 2009 15:52
 

Financial jargon

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Plain English Campaign are supporting the campaign from Consumer Focus Wales to get rid of financial gobbledygook.

Chrissie Maher says, “It’s disgraceful that banks and insurance companies have such a hold over us through their use of language. Often it means the customer is left with little clarity, and all the responsibility.  Terms and conditions, credit-card agreements, overdraft letters - they might as well be in a foreign language. English is my first language and I struggle with this financial gobbledygook.  Goodness knows how anyone with English as a second language can cope.”

 

Everybody matters in public affairs

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Chrissie Maher, founder of Plain English Campaign, was thrilled to hear that she has been shortlisted for the Women in Public Life Awards 2010.  Chrissie has been nominated for the Public Affairs Achiever of the Year category as a result of her years of campaigning for clear public information.

The Dods and Scottish Widows Women in Public Life Awards celebrate women leaders in society and aim to recognise and promote the work of women in politics, business, the civil service and community leadership.  The ceremony will be held at The Northumberland in London WC2 on Thursday 23 September.

Chrissie considers any honour she receives to be recognition of the support and encouragement shown by supporters of her campaigning.

This nomination has prompted Chrissie to revive the campaign's 'Every Body Matters' awards as one of the categories in the annual Plain English Campaign Awards to be held in December 2010.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 August 2010 12:20 Read more...
 

Have takeovers overtaken the customer?

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Corporate buy-outs, buy-ins, mergers and alliances are all a normal part of the daily life of big business.  But what effect do these have on our bank accounts and insurance policy terms?

Financial gobbledygook often clouds the relationship we have with banks and, in turn, our hard-earned money.  Since Plain English Campaign started its fight against jargon, some organisations have brought plain English communication to their customers. As businesses must make sure their profits continue to soar, they must also continue to keep clear lines of communication open with their customers, even amidst potentially complex takeovers and mergers.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 August 2010 14:04 Read more...
 
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