{"id":914,"date":"2025-07-09T12:48:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T10:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/page-project.eu\/?p=914"},"modified":"2025-07-09T12:48:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T10:48:51","slug":"the-evolution-of-easy-language-in-european-societies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/page-project.eu\/sv\/2025\/07\/the-evolution-of-easy-language-in-european-societies\/","title":{"rendered":"The Evolution of Easy Language in European Societies\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first documented use of ”l\u00e4ttl\u00e4st” (Easy Language)<\/strong> dates back to the 1960s, in Sweden, marking the beginning of its formal recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland and Norway followed Sweden in developing Easy Language, with initial cooperation in creating easy-to-read newspapers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy Language was first defined in Finland in the 1990s and later expanded in more detail, with 96 criteria to support content production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Finnish Centre for Easy Language (Selkokeskus)<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>since 2000, has been promoting <\/em><\/strong>communication, information and culture in \u201cEasy Finnish and is linked to the Finnish Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The\u202fLL-Center<\/strong><\/a>, its Swedish-language counterpart, was founded in 2001. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006, and EU legislation, namely the European Accessibility Directive (2019), which establishes minimum accessibility requirements at EU level for a range of products and services, have significantly influenced the promotion of Easy Language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Finland, Easy Language content covers a wide range of materials, including literature, online and television news from national broadcaster Yle, and newspapers in Easy Finnish and Easy Swedish, reflecting the official status of both languages in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Portugal, the Easy Read concept was presented to the authorities in 2009, and in 2010, the Easy Read version of the CRPD alerted them to the need for accessible information. Since 2020, decision-makers interest in Easy Language has begun to grow slowly and gradually, albeit restricted to specific sectors, namely those related to disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Sandra Marques \u201c(Lindholm and Vanhatalo, 2021, p.419), Portuguese does not have an official definition for \u2018Easy Language\u2019, but there is a common understanding among professionals who work with cognitive accessibility issues, mainly based on the definitions of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) (2010) and Inclusion Europe<\/a>. However, also according to Sandra Marques, in Portugal, there is a tendency to mix up the concepts of Easy Language and Plain Language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FENACERCI<\/a>, a Portuguese non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities has been producing documents and information in Easy Language for the past 12 years. They involve groups of people with intellectual disabilities to evaluate accessibility and suggest necessary changes\u00a0 In addition, Claro<\/a> is an agency that specialises in clear communication, assisting companies and institutions in simplifying information to make it more accessible and understandable. Among its clients are the Government of Portugal and the European Commission.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Easy Language guidelines include general rules that are not specific to any language, such as \u201cavoid abbreviations\u201d<\/strong> and \u201calways start a new sentence on a different line.\u201d<\/strong> They also contain specific rules that should be tailored to different languages. Despite these differences and the varying approaches taken by different countries, it is crucial to apply common methods. Harmonisation is key for effective research and implementation, as it promotes clarity, consistency, and collaboration among various stakeholders. This, in turn, helps to foster a more positive perception of Easy Language as a tool for inclusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To gain a deeper understanding of this topic, we recommend reading the Handbook of Easy Languages in Europe,<\/a>\u00a0 edited by Lindholm and Vanhatalo (2021). It explores how the simplification of standard languages can improve understanding, accessibility and inclusion.\u00a0 It provides a comprehensive overview of Easy Language practices in 21 European countries – including the article by Sandra Marques mentioned above – discussing their historical context, principles, legal frameworks, stakeholders, target groups and prospects. In this context, it emphasises the importance of ensuring equal access to information and social participation through accessible and non-stigmatising communication. Additionally, it highlights the need for international collaboration and research to standardise methods and improve practices, promoting Easy Language as an essential tool in public communication.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The importance of collaboration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/strong>In recent years, there has been a growing number of research activities and conferences dedicated to Easy Language. These events bring together academics and advocates from around the world to share knowledge and best practices. International initiatives, such as the Easy-to-Read network, which was founded in Barcelona in 2006, along with various EU-funded projects, have fostered collaboration between researchers and practitioners from different countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first conference dedicated to the topic took place in Helsinki in 2019, organized by KLAARA<\/a>, a Finnish association that brings together researchers in the field. The 2nd conference was held online in 2021 and the 3rd International Conference on Accessible Language and Communication – KLAARA 2023 – took place in Leiria, Portugal, from July 3 to 7, 2023. The 4th edition of the KLAARA Conference<\/a>, focused on research and practice on Plain Language, has already been announced and will take place from August 27 to 29, 2025, in Riga, Latvia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, Brazilian journalist Patr\u00edcia Almeida, a leading advocate for Easy Language in Brazil, coordinated the creation of the guide Simples Assim, comunique com todo mundo<\/em><\/a> (Easy as this. Communicate with everyone) published by Fiocruz’s National School of Public Health. This guide is designed to teach the principles of Easy Language <\/strong>to enhance communication, making it more straightforward and accessible. It focuses on ensuring that texts and messages can be understood by everyone, regardless of their level of education. The guide serves as an essential tool for promoting inclusion and facilitating access to information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide was translated into English under the title Simple as This \u2013 How to use Easy Language<\/em><\/a>  and presented at the Zero Project 2024 International Conference, which took place from February 21 to 23 at the UN headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The translation and adaptation were done in collaboration with members ELIN – Easy Language Internacional Network,<\/strong> including Sandra Marques and C\u00e9lia Sousa (Portugal), Cathy Basterfield (Australia) and Ulla Bohman (Sweden). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>Simples Assim, Comunique Com Todo Mundo<\/em> <\/a> has become a widely used reference in public and educational contexts in Brazil and has gained international recognition through collaboration with ELIN. <\/strong>Although this organization does not have an official website, it is active on its Facebook page<\/a>, where it promotes accessible and easy-to-understand language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ELIN is an international group made up of academics and user groups interested in Easy Language. It fosters collaboration among researchers, professionals, and organizations from various countries by sharing best practices, developing guidelines, and raising awareness about the importance of plain language as a tool for social inclusion. Additionally, the network organizes events and conferences to discuss advancements and challenges in the field of easy language.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Future Challenges\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An article published by the Easy Language International Network (Elin 2024)<\/a> highlights that \u201cLebenshilfe-Hamburg<\/em> is evaluating AI\u2019s capability to simplify complex texts. Their tests indicate that while AI can produce preliminary drafts, achieving truly easy language requires a step-by-step refinement process. This approach helps ensure the final text meets accessibility standards.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI can indeed play a key role in this process by assisting in several ways: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Simplifying texts <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

AI can analyse complex texts and suggest simpler ways to communicate the information. This includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n