Plain language as alternative textualisation

Abstract

Plain language is a form of intra-lingual translation, a process during which particular interventions are brought to bear on a complex text, such as an act, in order to fit the linguistic competence of a particular target audience (Bhatia, 1983; 1993). In this way, complicated content is unlocked and meaning mediated. The aim is to cut down on the cognitive processing difficulties experienced by the reader. Careful consideration must therefore be given to the linguistic features used in this alternative text. In South Africa, plain language received its first exposure during the 1990s, in a particular political context in which a human rights culture took centre stage. It is important, in a democracy, to inform ordinary citizens of their basic rights, and to do so in understandable language. In this study, a lexico-grammatical analysis is undertaken of a booklet, Equality for All, which is based on an act of parliament. Following a text-based approach, the linguistic features are measured against the principles of plain language, specifically focusing on the grammatical constructions and lexical items that have been proven to obscure meaning and impede understanding. The principal aim of this article is to assess whether the language employed in this simplified text is accessible to non-mother tongue speakers with no formal training in, and limited knowledge of, the law.

Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 2010, 28(2): 171–183