New Zealand bans officials from using complex and incomprehensible words

Officials will have to clearly and clearly select expressions in communication so that they can be understood by representatives of all walks of life.

New Zealand has decided to say goodbye to unpronounceable memos and euphuistic politicians’ statements. New Zealand’s Parliament has passed a new law that will require officials to stop using jargon and complex terms when communicating with the general public.

The so-called “Plain Language Bill,” which obliges officials to use plain and understandable language, passed its third reading on October 20. The government said the law would mark a new level of inclusive democracy. It is noted that this bill will especially help people with disabilities, people whose English is only a second language, and people with a low level of education.

“People living in New Zealand have the right to understand what the government is asking them to do and what they have the right to ask the government to do,” said New Zealand MP Rachel Boyak. The bill sparked heated debate in Parliament, with the opposition promising to repeal it if it wins elections next year.

MP Simeon Brown said that “this decision will only provoke problems” and that it will create even more bureaucratic structures in the form of officials who monitor the use of plain language. “Plain language police! This is who they will become! Plain language police in little white suits who will run around with their tablets, look over the shoulder of all government employees and check if they write in words consisting of less than one syllable.

Supporters of the bill believe that this will save the government money and time, and that clear communication is the key to a stable and functioning democracy. They added that the bill would help people with disabilities, the elderly and those who often need documents translated.

Tess McClure.

Source – The Guardian

Translation – Daniil Prilepsky “Moscow Truth”