About

This blog is an effort to encourage the use of plain language in India. Anything that needs to be said can be said in plain language. Anyone who communicates to a mass audience or has critical information to deliver -- governments, companies, media -- has a responsibility to make sure their message can be easily understood.

So, what is plain language? Here's a widely accepted definition by the International Plain Language Federation: 

“A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.” 

Plain or clear language is not a fancy cause. It can save money, time, and lives. Plain language can empower while legalese, jargon, and obsolete language can be intimidating and unhelpful. Communicating in plain language is not rocket science, but it takes an honest intention to inform your audience.

On this blog and through its social media extensions, we’ll focus on plain language or the lack of it in India. Among other things, we will discuss plain language initiatives from all over the world in the hope that such efforts can be replicated here. In doing so, this site aims to further the work of Jyoti Sanyal, one of the first and most passionate advocates of clear communication in India.

If you are interested in availing plain language or clear communication services, please go to our Services page to find out more. 

Vijayalaxmi Hegde runs this site. She also publishes a newsletter and coordinates a LinkedIn group on plain language in India -- feel free to join.