Language: The Popularity of Plain English

Eagleson (1990) states “It is not a question of being simple or simplistic: it is a question of our knowing how to use our precious language skilfully to communicate our message precisely so that our audience can understand it clearly.” Sometimes, people think if they use complex language and vocabulary would be consider as well-educated but, Eagleson argues that using plain and clear language is actually more desirable.

Using plain and clear English is preferred by the scientists and lawyers of Great Britain and the United States as according to the research because they could understand the documents written in clearer, more interesting and more dynamic English. Plain writing will elicit; faster problem-solving, easier to interpret and manage on the tasks. Plain English (Eagleson, 1990) is:

1. Simple – Even the government uses it for drafting legislation. It contains obscure and convoluted expression.
2. Consider the audience – Plainness depends on the nature of the audience. For example, computer experts might understand many terms that are related to computer and are written in plain and straight forwards English.

According to Salter (1999), plain English is a more humanistic approach to education because it is a students’-centred and based on a holistic approach. Plain English emphasises on:

1. Language and learning are inseparable.
2. Students use reading, writing and talking.
3. The labels, such as clear English and user-friendly texts.

User-friendly texts

You need to consider its’ implications, the interaction with the students and know what they really want and consider about the different levels of the students.

1. Implications. What does that mean? It is the knowledge of who is going to use the texts or materials? Am I communicating to the audience? For what purpose will the students use the materials? Do students really need such material? How well does the material satisfy the student’s needs? (Salter, 1999).
2. The interaction with the students and know what they really want. You will find out the sentences, the feedback and the kind of structures that the students and teachers want.
3. Consider about the different levels of the students. For example, the contents for the apprenticeship students and the diploma level students should be different. Usually, working in teams to discuss what to write is a good idea. Co-operative learning between the learners can contribute more effective ideas and also more productive. Writing user-friendly text collaboratively in team can produce higher morale contents.

References

Eagleson, R. (1990). Plain English: Simple or simplistic. Vox.
Salter, K. (1999). What’s wrong with Plain English. Good practice in Australian Adult Literacy and Basic Education.