When do you need simplified language?
- Simplified language is needed in situations where one participant’s ability to communicate is significantly weaker than the other’s.
- Simplified language enables someone without good language skills to take part in conversation and become a full member of a community.
Simplified language is…
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easy to understand
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clear and simplified spoken or written language
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structurally uncomplicated
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adapted to the recipient’s language skills
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easier than common language
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not ambiguous
How to write a text in simplified language
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use familiar and common words and expressions
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avoid slang, dialect, work jargon, symbolic and abstract expressions
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explain any difficult word you have to use
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use short sentences
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avoid difficult grammatical structures
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avoid metaphors
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proceed logically in your writing
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avoid changes when indicating place and time
How to speak simplified language
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speak about one subject at a time
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speak as short and systematically as possible
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take the language level of the person you are talking to into account
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do not speak as to a child, if you are talking to an adult
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don’t use slang or dialect
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when speaking about place and time or cause and consequence make
sure that you are understood -
ask checkup questions
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use familiar, everyday words
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if you need to use difficult, abstract words, expressions or metaphors,
explain them -
explain acronyms
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enhance the core words
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use correct technical terms
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pause before a new subject
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speak slowly, but not unnaturally or exaggeratedly
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give time to listen, understand and ask questions
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use facial expressions, gestures, appropriate accent and tone of voice
(do not exaggerate) -
draw or show pictures and point at objects, if possible
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do not panic if you are not immediately understood
(give the person time to get used to your way of speaking and vice versa) -
show that you really want to understand and it is important to you that you
are understood, as well -
don’t hesitate to look up difficult words in a dictionary
