Plain language, also called plain writing, is described as “communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.”
Does Canada have a plain language Act?
In 1991, Alberta became the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt a plain language law – the Financial Consumers Act. The law requires certain consumer contracts to be written in “clear and easily understandable language.”
What is an example of plain language?
Short sentences and paragraphs. Common, everyday words. Easy-to-follow design features (lists, headers, tables)
What is the plain language Act?
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (PDF) requires federal agencies to write “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.”
Who is required to use plain language?
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed on October 13, 2010. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use.
Does Canada allow free speech?
The Canadian Charter or Rights and Freedoms is the equivalent to our Bill of Rights. Both guarantee the right to freedom of speech and the press, peaceably assemble, travel, due process, privacy, an attorney and speedy trial in criminal cases, and trial by jury in certain cases.
What are the language laws in Canada?
The Official Languages Act (1969) is the federal statute that made English and French the official languages of Canada. It requires all federal institutions to provide services in English or French on request.
What are the 5 principles of plain language?
Plain language is clear, concise, organized, and appropriate for the intended audience.
- Write for your reader, not yourself.
- Use pronouns when you can.
- State your major point(s) first before going into details.
- Stick to your topic.
- Limit each paragraph to one idea and keep it short.
- Write in active voice.
What is plain language and why is it important?
Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Readers call less often for explanations. They make fewer errors filling out forms. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements.
What is the difference between plain English and plain language?
Even Wikipedia entries reflect this subtle difference in focus: Plain English is language that is easy to understand, emphasizes clarity and brevity, and avoids overly complex vocabulary. Plain language is writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly, easily, and completely as possible.
Why is plain language important in law?
Plain language statutes and documents are more ‘efficient’ than traditionally worded ones. They are easier to read, for both lawyers and non-lawyers, saving time for lawyers and non-lawyers.
What is plain language summary?
What is a plain language summary? A Plain Language Summary is an incredibly effective science communication tool that allows researchers to reach a wider audience by summarizing their work in terms that are accessible to people outside of a specific scientific circle.
Why is plain language important in healthcare?
Plain language makes it easier for everyone to understand and use health information. Although plain language is a familiar idea, many organizations don’t use it as often as they should. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to train staff to use plain language when they communicate with the public.
Who benefits from plain language?
Plain language is universal. While plain language became law for government agencies, it was also used across different industries to improve communication. Businesses such as banks, insurance companies, law firms, legal services and IT companies use plain language to communicate with customers.
What is the first rule of plain language?
The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. Use language your audience knows and feels comfortable with.
What grade level is plain language?
Aim at an 8th grade reading level if targeting a broad audience. If writing for an educated or specialized audience, still target a reading level several steps below the audience’s formal education level. A 12th grade reading level is often a good target to make text easy for readers with college degrees.
What are the 5 most important Rights in Canada?
Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
- freedom of conscience and religion;
- freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
- freedom of peaceful assembly; and.
- freedom of association.
What is considered hate speech in Canada?
Both Canada’s Criminal Code and B.C.’s Human Rights Code describe hate speech as having three main parts: It is expressed in a public way or place. It targets a person or group of people with a protected characteristic such as race, religion or sexual orientation.
Who has language Rights in Canada?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into force in 1982. Subsection 16(1) of the Charter provides that English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
Is it mandatory to speak English in Canada?
As always, the answer to this question is “yes”, “no” and “it depends”. “Yes” — “language” is not a specifically prohibited ground of discrimination under Human Rights legislation in any jurisdiction in Canada except for Quebec and the Yukon.
Is swearing at someone a crime in Canada?
In Canada, speaking or otherwise communicating some hurtful words might lead to criminal charges. Under Canada’s Criminal Code, you can be charged with an assault offence if your words constitute a threat to another person’s life, health or property.