Easy Read: simple language helps inclusion

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the most difficult challenges we face as translators and editors relate to the complexity of the concepts or the language involved. In actual fact, projects that require the Easy Read format often prove the opposite is true.

Content accessible to all

In the interest of inclusion, particularly in the context of administrative procedures and access to basic rights (the right to vote, for example), a European initiative introduced in 2009 has defined a set of rules for making information understandable for everyone. Although the target audience has never been officially defined, it effectively encompasses all individuals with comprehension or reading difficulties. While this kind of simplified communication could apply to any one of us, it is particularly aligned to the needs of people with intellectual disabilities or dyslexia, the elderly, or anyone who has difficulty understanding the language.

Keeping it simple isn’t as easy as it sounds

They’re called Sally, Mark, Emily or George. They might be a brother, a sister, a parent, a neighbour, the hairdresser or bus driver. They are fully integrated into society, but for various reasons, they struggle to comprehend certain texts. With them in mind, we implement the guidelines set out by Unapei, the National Union of Associations for Parents, People with Intellectual Disabilities and Friends, to make texts easily accessible. These recommend using everyday words, short sentences, the present tense, and the active voice, while avoiding abstract concepts, metaphors and other figures of speech.

As an example in an information leaflet, it is preferable to write, “I vote for who I want” rather than “It is up to you to choose the person you wish to vote for.” For a number of years, the State Chancellery of Geneva, for example, has enlisted textocreativ to create and translate brochures and explanatory videos in simplified language, especially for content relating to elections and voting. All feature the recognisable logo of a white figure on a blue background. The complexity of the task lies in the importance of getting straight to the point and capturing the essence of the message – the simpler, the better.

Back to Sally, Mark, Emily or George, who sometimes work with us on Easy Read projects as co-editors, proofreaders or revisers, giving us a beautiful lesson in humility by reminding us that communication is not just words. True communication is done, first and foremost, with the heart.

Here is the Easy Read version of the article above:

What are Easy Read texts?

Information that is easy to read is easier to understand.

Translating Easy Read texts is not simple.

Texts for everyone

We write Easy Read texts
for people with reading difficulties.
It helps these people
in their everyday lives.

Keep it simple

An association explains
how to write texts that are easy to understand.

textocreativ creates Easy Read texts and videos
for the State Chancellery of Geneva.
For voting, for example.

Many people have reading difficulties.
It’s good to help them.

These people even help us write our texts.
And always with a smile ☻