New Zealand’s Plain Language Bill

Language is the ‘principal method of human communication’, a way to understand and be understood. However, this hasn’t been completely true in the context of officialdom, for bureaucratic use of language has more often served to obfuscate rather than explain. A proposed legislation in New Zealand is attempting to alter this situation.

Background:

• ‘Plain language’ is the use of language for clear communication, right from situations of day-to-day communication to government communication documents.
• According to International Plain Language Working Group, plain language can be understood as communication using language in such a way that its wording, structure and design are clear enough for the intended audience to find what the info