Plain Language in Norway s Civil Service Sissel C. Motzfeldt
My presentation The Norwegian Government program (2008-2012) and its evaluation work New project: Improving the language in laws and regulations Results of two surveys Thoughts about the future
The Norwegian Government program (2009-2012) offers: grants consulting pool of knowledge publications clear language training courses seminars and conferences the Plain Language Award gadgets
Plain Language Conferences in Norway: 2011 and 2012
Evaluation of the program 2 steps 1) Mid-term evaluation. Identifies the impact of the Program on the clarity work of the agencies (method: qualitative and quantitative). Completed. 2) End evaluation in 2013. Will identify the impact of the clarity work on the citizens (method: qualitative and quantitative)
Step 1: The importance of the Government program Q.: How important are the following reasons for starting a clear language project? A.: 1) The Government program!! 2) Internal champions 3) Internal strategy process 4) Inspiration from others Not so important: External criticism and instructions from above.
Step 2: Benefits for the citizens and Civil Service Intended message Has there been a change in the inquiries? Type and numbers? Has there been a change of trust, confidence in Civil Service? Understood message Civil Service Citizens Dekoder Respons Koder Mutual understanding? Koder Budskap Dekoder Language culture, attitudes communication, activities The citizenz understanding of the communication
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration The new letter on vehicle inspection 40 % less telephone calls Questions Language Structure Tone Words Understandability All 60 % find the language easy to understand 55 % find the information they need 40 % find the tone in the letter more pleasant 70 % do not find difficult words in the text 70 % find it easy to understand what th PRA want them to do Increase in 40 % Increase in 40 % Increase in 100 % Increase in 20 % Increase in 35%
New project 2011: Improve the language in laws and regulations. 3 Goals: 1. Establish a Knowledge Base 2. Fight unwanted attitude and behaviour in Civil Service 3. Prevent legalese from ever happening.
Goal 1. Establish a Knowledge Base Round Table conference 3 Surveys: Citizens, Civil Servants and Judges Research and student work (at master level) Seminars Monitor projects
A survey among the General Public 2011 54 % of the Public said they had read a certain law or regulation last year Area: Work, health, welfare, housing and economy 38 % found the text difficult 39 % found the text easy Difficult: Words, expressions and sentences
The General Public - statements Statements All citizens Citizens with a law degree All citizens should understand the laws and regulations that concern them If the text in laws and regulations had been easier to understand, both the Civil Service and the public would save time and money Laws and regulations are first of all meant for lawyers and other professional groups 87 % agree 84 % agree 86 % agree 80 % agree 39 % agree 37 % agree
A survey in the Civil Service 2012 What is wrong with the law making process: Often too little time, political pressure Conflict between accuracy and clarity No request for clear language to committees Drafts are never user tested European Union directives a language challenge! Remedy: Involve linguists in the work and start user testing!
A survey in the Civil Service 2012 What is wrong with the language of laws: Too complicated laws! Patchwork quilt. Old laws worse than the new ones Same terms mean different things in different laws no consistency in use of terms Remedy: Need more language training, better written language guidelines
A survey among judges to come! Preparation starts in the fall of 2012 To collect data on preferred writing style among judges Serve to increase interest in plain language Platform for language guide and training of judges
Goal 2. Fight unwanted attitude and behaviour in Civil Service Offer writing courses to civil servants Develop a practical guide and web-based tool-box Seminars, articles and awards
Goal 3. Prevent legalese from ever happening Offer plain language training to law students and other student groups Change the law making process Promote model laws
Should the ten most important laws be in plain language or not?
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly our challenges Time and resources Willingness to prioritize Balancing plain language and precision Attitude and culture Interest of Managers Technical problems
Norway goes digital! Our Government and Minister have launched a new program: Digital Norway! Better, simpler and more efficient services Plain language necessary Understandable laws and regulations crucial
How do we keep up the good work in the Government? Continue the Government Program, but not as a project Initiate studies showing the importance of plain language (i.e. studies on effectiveness) Getting involved in the digital development! Find success stories
Thank you! www.klarsprak.no