Easy-to-understand language
The information for the population should be comprehensible to everyone and as comprehensive as necessary. Here you will find important questions and answers on the topic of easy-to-understand language. More detailed information can be found in the PDF document below (working materials 2)
Different concepts
There are concepts with different scopes. Easy language is the strongest form of linguistic simplification and is regulated in German-speaking countries. As a bridge between this regimented plain language and the standard language, all other designations stand for a language with reduced complexity. The complexity of the easy-to-understand language recommended here can be adjusted depending on the target audience.
Tips for implementation
We formulate short sentences with a simple structure, avoid words that are not very common or do without embellishing, unnecessary details. Further examples: Linking to working materials 2
Improve comprehensibility
Comprehensible and straightforward texts are a basic prerequisite for readers to find what they need. We want them to understand what they are reading and how to use the content.
A win-win situation for everyone
Findings from comprehensibility research show that it is not only the foreign-speaking population that benefits from this, but also hurried online readers and especially people who have difficulty reading and understanding written information.
Basis for translations and adaptation to digital users
An easy-to-understand text is the best basis for a successful translation. In addition, automatic and computer-based translation achieves much better results and also takes into account the reading behavior of digital users.
There is no "right" or "wrong"
There are several ways to make a text simpler. A proven method for checking the comprehensibility of the information material is proofreading by employees or by people from the target group. In the longer term, we can train ourselves to write in a way that is easier to understand, to take a course within the framework of the urban program. educational opportunities or use appropriate tools on the Internet.