Two cheers for equality: a critical appraisal of Act 4 of 2000 from a plain language viewpoint

Abstract

Legislative writing is often criticised by the lay person for its use of obscure words and complicated sentence structure. This contribution appraises the comprehensibility of the language of South Africa's new equality legislation, Act 4 of 2000. In its preamble, Act 4 of 2000 promises to undertake the facilitation of ";the transition to a democratic society, marked by human relations that are caring and compassionate";. I consider the question as to whether the promise contained in the preamble to the Act does not effectively nullify itself given that the Act is written in language that is accessible almost exclusively to legislators and members of the legal profession.



Twee hoera's vir gelykheid: 'n Kritiese waardering van Wet 4 van 2000 vanuit 'n eenvoudige regstaal-oogpunt
Die taal van wetgewing word dikwels deur die leek gekritiseer vir die onverstaanbare woorde en ingewikkelde sinstruktuur wat daarin voorkom. Hierdie bydrae ondersoek die verstaanbaarheid vir die leek van die nuwe gelykheidswetgewing, Wet 4 van 2000. In sy aanhef belowe Wet 4 van 2000 om die fasilitering van ";the transition to a democratic society, marked by human relations that are caring and compassionate"; te onderneem. In hierdie bydrae oorweeg ek of hierdie belofte wel uitgevoer kan word gesien in die lig van die feit dat die Wet in 'n taal geskryf is wat toeganklik is amper uitsluitlik vir wetgewers en lede van die regsprofessie.


(J Juridical Science: 2002 27(1): 1-13)