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Plain English is written or spoken communication that is understandable and useful to a specific audience of native speakers of English. It communicates information that the audience needs to know in a manner that the audience can easily understand. In short, it is communication that works!
Plain English for an international audience is plain English that has been adapted to meet the needs of an audience that knows English as a second language at best -- or perhaps only fairly or even poorly!
The salient characteristics of this international audience are:
- an imperfect knowledge of English
- an absence of common cultural reference points
- a shared interest in or knowledge of the subject matter
Plain English for an international audience is not simplified or child-talk English. On the contrary, it is English written with a specific purpose for a specific international audience. It assumes that the international audience has a basic knowledge of and an interest in the subject matter.
Plain English for an international audience presents information in a logical and straightforward manner. It uses English that is clear, correct, and consistent to assure that it comprehensible to the specified audience. In short, it is communication in English that works internationally!
We edit your Plain English communications to make them more understandable to the international audiences you target. We edit these materials to
- eliminate linguistic complexity
- clarify ambiguities in the text
- remove uncommon words, trendy usage and slang
- delete or neutralize unnecessary or offensive cultural allusions,
and to
- stress consistent word usage, in particular, of technical or specialized terms
- define technical and specialized terms and symbols in a glossary
- explain important points or data by using illustrations, tables and charts
- make the overall document "user- or reader-friendly"; we will add tables of contents and detailed indexes when appropriate.
For more information on our editing and consulting services, please click here.
For more information on Plain English for an English-speaking audience, please click here.
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MAIN CONTENTS
How plain English
can help your business
What is plain English?
Editing services
Consulting services
Company profile
More writing tips
Some useful links
How to contact us
WRITING TIPS
Introduction
More writing tips
Use short sentences
Use short paragraphs
Use common words
Use terms consistently
Define special terms and
abbreviations
Use active voice,
positive words
Be clear and concise
Emphasize important information
Avoid slang and
colloquialisms
Maintain cultural neutrality
Avoid noun strings
Illustrate with pictures,
tables and charts
Summary
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