Brief history and key motivations for plain language
Abstract
This chapter presents a selection of pivotal moments in the history and development of plain language, explaining how it has grown to become a global movement that now involves many organizations, text types, and domains. Three main motivations for using plain language are explored: social justice and inclusion, managing risk, and extending the reach of a message within and beyond a given language. The relationship between plain language and translatability is analyzed. Finally, the chapter concludes by evaluating the benefits of using plain language for both readers and the organizations that need to communicate with them.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Text Readability and Simplification
Legal Language and Interpretation
Translation Studies and Practices
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 27–42
- Publication date
- 6 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter