General Discussion

varelse

(4,062 posts)

5. Plain Language: It's the law

Wed Feb 8, 2012, 10:45 AM

Feb 2012

From the link in the article: http://www.plainlanguage.gov/plLaw/index.cfm

President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 on October 13, 2010. The law requires that federal agencies use "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use." On January 18, 2011, he issued a new Executive Order, "E.O. 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review." It states that "[our regulatory system] must ensure that regulations are accessible, consistent, written in plain language, and easy to understand."

Like the author of the article, I wonder if "Alight Only" truly qualifies as 'plain language' to the average citizen.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

‘Alight?’ How about just ‘Exit?’ [View all] FSogol Feb 2012 OP

because they don't mean the same thing? Spider Jerusalem Feb 2012 #1

Part of me wants to say, people need to English up and understand the language, but FSogol Feb 2012 #2

'Delight' sounds so much more positive. nt DCKit Feb 2012 #3

There is no exit. Hell is other people. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #4

Plain Language: It's the law varelse Feb 2012 #5

Probably not. An informal poll of my office this morning found that only FSogol Feb 2012 #8

I consider myself to have a pretty good command of the language, and I would think TwilightGardener Feb 2012 #6

This way to the Egress. (n/t) Iggo Feb 2012 #7

If the sign wasn't lit up, it's incorrect! n/t Orsino Feb 2012 #9

I can see why it might be confusing. At first glance I thought it said "alright". Arkansas Granny Feb 2012 #10