Is Plain Language the New Newspeak?

Anna Leutheuser / May 24, 2011

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

It may be a bit dramatic to quote the opening of George Orwell’s classic 1984, but there is something quite Orwellian about the effects of H.R.946 – a piece of legislation that passed last year without much division, and that is now back in the headlines.  This law, named the Plain Writing Act, aims to simplify the language used by federal agencies when speaking to American citizens, with the guidance of a new organization: the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN).  For anyone who has wrestled with IRS forms or the jargon of the DMV, this may seem like welcome news.  However, the Federal Plain Language Guidelines (unveiled by PLAIN in March), which outline the changes promised by the Plain Writing Act, contain some rather questionable instructions in its 117 pages:

• “Government” will be changed to “we”, and “citizens” will be replaced by “you” making all instructions seem more good-natured and friendly.
• “Stuffy” language, such as “pursuant,” “herein,” “in accordance with,” “commencing,” “practicable,” and the most offensive target: “shall,” will be purged.  Apparently we shouldn’t be bothered with three-syllable words. (more…)