A new quality mark indicating that documents have been written in plain English has been launched.
The mark was developed by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), and is intended to encourage businesses and other organisations to make their promotional and information material esaier to read.
Language on documents such as medicine labels, public signs, explanatory booklets, and letters and statements from financial institutions were identified by NALA as problematic.
At the launch of the mark today, the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly said she had seen instances of complaints made to her that arose because of the language used in records, letters and other documents.
“The failure properly to understand the terms of a benefit scheme, for example, can lead to the denial of that scheme to the individual involved,” she said.
“I am very aware of the barriers to information and to understanding that can be erected by the use of language that is difficult, convoluted, stylised, or comprehensible only to those who understand the jargon of certain professions or of certain public and private service providers,” Ms O’Reilly added.
Director of NALA Inez Bailey said the mark would assist information providers. She said that whhile plain language would be of particular benefit to theose with literacy problems, the quality mark would assist the wider public.
"At one time or another, we have probably all encountered an important yet unintelligible document that has caused confusion and, possibly, deep frustration," Ms Bailey said.
A similar system has been successfully operating in Britain for many years where the “crystal mark” has been firmly established. It is laos used in
USA, Australia and South Africa.