What is Easy Language?

Easy Language means designing information in such a way that it is simple to understand. It is primarily aimed at people with reading and comprehension difficulties. It is related to the diversity dimension of disability.

Two diagrams showing communication. Top: two people with a tangled line between them labeled

The key takeaways:

Easy Language and the associated workshops by diversity teams are essential. They not only help people, but also companies. Companies that use Easy Language are more successful and more resilient in an increasingly diverse global workplace.

It simplifies texts. Normal texts are often difficult to understand. People who have problems reading and understanding benefit from the use of Easy Language.

Easy Language follows 17 rules. These rules concern the appearance of the text, the choice of words, the sentence structure and the meaning of the words.

Many organisations write in a language that is difficult to understand. Most people understand texts at an easy level (A1, A2, B1). However, companies often write texts in a more complex language that makes them difficult to understand.

Easy Language definition: What does it mean?

It is designed to help people who have difficulty reading to understand the information more clearly. General or technical texts often have barriers that make it difficult for people to understand or remember the information.

Texts in plain language are an additional offer and do not replace the original text.

One of the pioneering examples is the Tagesschau: Since 2024, the daily TV news has been available in plain language. Every Monday to Friday, there is an edition that summarises the most important topics of the day. It is broadcasted on television at 7 p.m. and can be streamed live and online from 6 p.m. onwards.

What are the synonyms for Easy Language?

Easy Language is also referred to as Easy-To-Read, Easy Read or Easy English.
Plain Language or Everyday/Plain English: follows no fixed rules and is less standardised. More complex than Easy Language. Subordinate clauses can be used.
Accessibility: People with and without disabilities can use the human-designed environment equally.
Barrier-free communication: Access to information and communication must be barrier-free to ensure equal participation for people with disabilities.
Disability: Permanent physical, mental, sensory or psychological impairment that affects a person's ability to carry out everyday activities or participate in society.
Learning difficulties: Insufficient/lack of ability to cope with set learning requirements.
Illiteracy: A person who cannot read or write.
Literacy: Comprehending something written, a text with the eyes and the mind.
Language impairment: A range of difficulties in understanding and expressing language.
Hearing impairment: A significant reduction in the ability to hear, which can take on the manifestations of mild to complete hearing loss.

How does Easy Language work?

Easy Language follows certain rules. It was developed by the disability rights movement and people with intellectual disabilities. It helps many people. It benefits people with learning difficulties, people who cannot read and write well, people with speech problems, hearing impairments or dementia.

What are the rules of Easy Language?

Visual and media design:

Large font size
Each sentence starts on a new line
No word division at the end of the line
Left-aligned

Words (Morphology):

Use short words
Separate long words with hyphens
Do not use abbreviations
Avoid passive voice

Choice of words (Lexis)

Use easily understandable words
If possible, do not use foreign words
Explain foreign words

Text:

Always use the same words in the same way
Place important information at the beginning
Use headings and subheadings
Address the reader directly

Sentences:

Write in short sentences

Meaning (Semantics):

Avoid negation

Why is Easy Language so important?

There are several reasons why Easy Language is crucial in today's work environment:

Inclusion und Accessability

Easy Language allows people with different cognitive abilities to better understand information. This promotes inclusion and ensures that all employees, regardless of their ability in terms of language or mental capacity, can participate in working life on an equitable basis.

Effective Communication:

In the corporate world, clear and easy-to-understand communication is key to success. Easy Language helps to avoid misunderstandings and communicate information more quickly and efficiently.

Customer Orientation

Companies that use Easy Language can reach a broader target group with their services and products. This is particularly important in an increasingly diverse market where customers have different needs and varying levels of understanding.

Easy Language in companies.

The current situation and the problems associated with Easy Language in companies can vary depending on the industry, region and corporate culture.

Currently, 53% of the population understand texts at language levels A1, A2 and B1. However, most companies publish their information at levels B2, C1 and C2.

Source: Capito

To reach the majority of the population effectively, companies need to change the way they communicate - both externally with customers and in internally with employees.

Challenges and Problems.

Internal communication is often difficult to understand because modern companies have so many different people working together. People with different native languages, different levels of education or different cultural backgrounds.

Problems arise when information is not formulated in a way that even half the people can understand. One consequence of difficult-to-understand corporate information is accidents at work, absenteeism and mistakes. Another problem is reduced productivity due to hard-to-understand text and instructions that are misunderstood or not fully read.

To improve the status quo and address the problems, it is important that companies take active measures, including training, transparent policy making, setting concrete goals and regularly reviewing progress. A holistic approach, supported by company management, is crucial for sustainable change in terms of Easy Language and inclusion in the workplace.

What suitable workshops/trainings are available for Easy Language?

There are a variety of workshops and training courses aimed at raising awareness, breaking down prejudices and strengthening participants' skills in using Easy Language effectively.

Examples of diversity workshops and training

Awareness workshops: The aim of these workshops is to raise participants' awareness of the importance of Easy Language in recruitment. They focus on ensuring that information is accessible to all during the application process.

Unconscious Bias Trainings: The aim of this training is to raise awareness of unconscious prejudices that people have towards others. These trainings offer strategies to reduce these prejudices.

Easy Language for Digital Media: A workshop that focuses on designing websites, apps and other digital content in Easy Language.

Accessibility and Inclusion Training: Accessibility training provided by diversity teams focuses on creating inclusive environments for people with varying abilities. It can also include topics such as accessible communication and Easy Language.

Translation Training: In these courses, participants practise translating and writing in small groups. The focus lies on text functions and translation strategies for different text types.

Communication Training: The primary focus lies on promoting effective communication within teams. This includes dealing with different communication styles in the field of Easy Language.

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What are the advantages of Easy Language?

Texts in Easy Language have a number of advantages. Here are some of the most important benefits:

Self-determination and Participation:

Companies that use Easy Language as an add-on give people the tools they need to break down barriers and participate actively and confidently in their lives and wider society.

Positive Company Perception:

Companies that focus on inclusion and accessibility are often perceived more positively and can position themselves as responsible and customer-oriented organisations.

Clear Communication:

Easy Language reduces misunderstandings and ensures that information is conveyed clearly and precisely. This is particularly important in areas such as education, healthcare and customer service.