Comprehensive texts for all

Complex terms, nested sentences and official language are an obstacle for many people. One solution for this is the use of Simple Language, because it aims to break down barriers in communication and to convey complex content in an accessible form.

The first Standard for Simple Language published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in June 2023 marks a milestone in this area and underlines the importance of clear and understandable communication for all. Now there are also two new DIN standards for Simple Language. It provides editors and communication specialists with principles, requirements, examples and explanations for comprehensible and effective communication.

DIN ISO 24495-1, Simple Language – Part 1: Principles and Guidelines, was published in the first quarter of this year (March 2024). This is the translation of ISO 24495-1:2023 into German. DIN ISO 24495-1:2024-03 provides a clear understanding of what Simple Language is and how to achieve it. Their goal is to help authors write understandable texts for a broad readership.

It focuses on four principles:

Readers get what they need. (Relevance)

Readers can easily find what they need. (findability)

Readers can easily understand what they find. (intelligibility)

Readers can easily use the information. (Applicability)

DIN 8581-1 – Recommendations for the German language

With DIN 8581-1, Simple Language – Application for German – Part 1: Language-specific specifications, have now been available since 26. April 2024 (May 2024 edition) a second DIN standard for simple language. It specifies the general recommendations from ISO 24495-1 for the German language. While ISO 24495-1 remains largely language-independent as an international standard, DIN 8581-1 wants to help authors write German-language texts that meet the above four principles:

What exactly needs to be considered at the text level – in terms of content, style and text structure? What rules apply to German texts in plain language at sentence level, such as the length of sentences, sentence structure and tenses? What, in turn, must or should authors consider at the word level, for example with regard to the length of words and their familiarity? And what is there possibly. still to be considered in the design, for example with regard to typographic accents or with regard to hyphenation? DIN 8581-1 provides answers to these and other questions.

How and why Simple Language?

Simple language puts the reader at the center and ensures that texts are written that really want and can be understood. It is not to be confused with Easy Language: Simple Language is a form of standard language and can be used for a general audience, while Easy Language was developed for people who have learning difficulties.

In addition, Simple Language offers potential especially in the areas of law, health, public order, government and corporate communications, where information influences important decisions and people's rights.

Studies have also shown that straightforward texts save companies and readers time and money. Because if information is conveyed in an understandable way, it leads to better results faster. For organizations, this is a way to build trust. In addition, the translation process is more efficient than for documents that are difficult to understand.

What's next?

After the release of ISO 24495-1:2023, two further parts are already being worked on internationally. Part 2 deals with legal communication, part 3 deals with scientific writing. Both parts can be actively worked on. The call for cooperation from 19. March 2024 is still current. Even after the meeting of the DIN working group "Simple Language" mentioned in it on 26. April 2024, entry is possible at any time.