News
Plain English campaign news articles
Crapple
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 02 October 2014 12:01
Apple have just launched their ‘Apple Watch’ to much worldwide interest, and it’s a typically sleek product from a great, innovative company. Though Apple’s Senior Vice President of Design, Jony Ive, has been a little too creative when describing their new device.
More government gobbledygook
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 02 October 2014 11:49
There have recently been plenty of calls for government and council documents to be rewritten in plain English – and talks over the Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment Bill have led to yet another.
The discussions have been spoiled for anyone other than those at the very top – it’s hard to imagine anyone else having a clue what ‘top-down capacity building’, ‘community anchor organisations’ or ‘third sector interfaces’ are.
Dodgy developments
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 24 September 2014 09:58
Oxford City Council are under fire for trying to sneak through a hugely revamped land-development project under a conveniently confusing cloud of gobbledygook.
The residents of Wolvercote are understandably far from happy about the information available to them on a matter that could massively change their local environment and quality of life.
Retire the jargon
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 04 September 2014 10:05
The financial sector has taken a bit of a hit recently, with the fallout from the banking crisis and mis-sold PPIs severely damaging its reputation.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), brought in to keep an eye on the use of jargon, over-complexity and misdirection in the industry, has overseen something of an improvement, and positive changes have been made.
Leaving ballot to be desired
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 04 September 2014 09:55
A record number of spoiled ballot papers in an Irish referendum have prompted calls for revamped versions and referendum questions written in plain English.
Unhealthy habits
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 04 September 2014 09:26
We at the Campaign have spent plenty of time attacking the use of jargon in various industries. We have criticised those relying on waffle in banks, universities, supermarkets, and all manner of other industries.
However, when it comes to the NHS, the issue is a bit more serious than collaring deceitful salesmanship or ambiguous terms and conditions. We’re dealing with information that could seriously and directly damage someone’s health.
Fry's English Delight
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 02 September 2014 15:37
The Campaign appeared on Stephen Fry's show, 'Fry's English Delight', episode entitled: 'Plain English'. To hear Chrissie and Tony on the show, follow this link to 'Fry's English Delight'.
Take a plain English diploma in September
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 19 August 2014 15:39
We have limited spaces available on our diploma course starting with an introductory 2 day workshop on the 25 and 25 September 2014 in London.
Since we began in 1979, we have been offering courses in plain English. These courses give people an excellent grounding in plain-English techniques. We have developed the diploma course to give people a higher level of expertise. If you are trying to persuade other people in your organisation to write clearly, it helps to have a qualification in plain English.
