Plain Swedish language

Plain language is to
•    match your writing to the needs of the readers
•    consider the purpose and message carefully
•    structure the document clearly
•    write informative headings
•    write pithy summaries
•    use “I”, “we” and “you” to make the writing more human
•    avoid passive constructions
•    take pride in everyday language
•    explain difficult but necessary words
•    use concrete words
•    read your colleagues’ documents and give them advice.

Plain language
•    increases the trust between citizens and authorities
•    leads to democratisation and better legal rights
•    makes work more fun and effective
•    saves time and money
•    is stated in the law.

In 1993, the Plain Swedish Group was appointed by the government to encourage state authorities all over Sweden to start plain language projects. From July 2006, the acitivities of the Plain Swedish Group were taken over by the Language Council (Språkrådet), a departement of the official language authority the Institute of Language and Folklore (Institutet för språk och folkminnen). The Plain Swedish Office at Språkrådet:

• supplies knowledge, ideas and experiences from various plain language projects in Sweden and abroad
• arranges plain language conferences
• gives lectures on plain language to the authorities
• participates in international conferences
• edits a plain language bulletin, Klarspråksbulletinen
• awards authorities the Plain Swedish Crystal, Klarspråkskristallen.

The Plain Language Bulletin
We initiate events through our newsletter, the Plain language bulletin (Klarspråksbulletinen), which is published four times a year. It can be obtained free of charge. Send an e-mail to klarsprak[at]sprakradet.se with your name and your postal adress.

The Plain Swedish Crystal
In May every year the Plain Swedish Crystal is awarded to an authority which has obtained good results in its plain language work.

The Plain Language Test
Through a web-based test, writers can test their texts to see if they meets the standards of Plain language. By answering 30 questions, the writer gets an opinion about the text and tips about what to do to make it better. The test exists only in Swedish (so far): www.sprakradet.se/testet

Contact us!
Språkrådet, Box 20057, 104 60 Stockholm
e-mail: klarsprak[at]sprakradet.se
telephone: +46 8 442 42 00
Eva Olovsson: +46 8 442 42 12
Nathalie Parès +46 8 442 42 17