What is Easy Language?

Definition of Easy Language

Easy Language is a specially regulated form of language that is particularly easy to understand. It is written according to specific rules established by organizations such as the Easy Language Network. These rules aim to enhance the comprehensibility of texts and thus enable broader accessibility. Here are some of the main characteristics of Easy Language:

Simple Words: Complex and rarely used words are avoided or replaced with simpler alternatives.
Short Sentences: Long, convoluted sentences are avoided. Instead, short, clearly structured sentences are used.
Active Language: Passive constructions are avoided to make statements clear and direct.
Clear Sentence Structure: The sentence structure is simple and logically arranged to avoid misunderstandings.
One Piece of Information per Sentence: Each sentence contains only one central piece of information to facilitate the intake and processing of the content.
Additional Aids: Pictures and pictograms are used to support and clarify the text.

These rules help design texts so that they are understandable for everyone, regardless of their individual abilities and knowledge.

Target Audience

Easy Language is particularly useful for various target groups that may have difficulties understanding complex texts. These include:

People with Cognitive Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities or other cognitive impairments benefit from the clear and simple structure of Easy Language.
People with Learning Difficulties: Those who have difficulty learning and processing new information find texts in Easy Language more accessible.
People who Speak German as a Second Language: For those who do not speak German as their first language, Easy Language facilitates understanding and communication.
People with Reading Difficulties: Individuals with reading and writing difficulties or limited reading experience can better read and understand texts in Easy Language.
Older Adults: Older adults who may have trouble reading small print or understanding complex texts benefit from the clear and well-structured language.

Easy Language enables these target groups to participate equally in social life, as they can better understand and use important information.

Language Levels

The language is categorized into different levels. For better understanding, here is an overview of the levels:

1. Everyday Language

Definition: Everyday language is the language used in daily life. It is not specifically optimized for clarity or simplicity and may include regional dialects, jargon, and culturally specific expressions.
Purpose: Everyday language is used in normal social and professional exchanges and requires a certain level of language proficiency.

2. Simple Language

Definition: Simple language is a simplified form of everyday language. It aims to convey information clearly and unambiguously by avoiding complex words and sentence structures.
Characteristics: Use of short sentences, commonly known words, simple sentence structures, and active voice.
Purpose: Simple language is often used in communication aimed at a broad audience, including people for whom the language in question is a second or foreign language.

3. Easy Language

Definition: Easy Language is a specially regulated form of language that aims for maximum clarity and simplicity to ensure accessibility for people with cognitive impairments or very limited language skills.
Characteristics: Even greater simplification than Simple Language, including the use of very short sentences, avoidance of passive constructions, consistent use of active voice, visual aids such as pictures or symbols.
Purpose: Easy Language is specifically developed for communication with people who have various reasons for struggling to understand standard texts, such as individuals with learning difficulties, very young children, or people just beginning to learn the language.

These three language levels represent different degrees of linguistic simplification and are tailored to the needs of specific target groups. They play an important role in accessibility and inclusion by ensuring that information is understandable to everyone, regardless of their language skills or cognitive challenges.