Lately I’ve been working with a new client.
It’s a big name with an international team and the company language is English. This is great for me as a native English speaker.
But it has highlighted the importance of clear and simple language. Especially when working with non-native speakers or communicating with a global audience.
So this month we’re going to delve a little deeper into this topic.
Simple doesn’t mean plain
Using clear and simple language might sound boring but it’s actually the opposite.
It’s inclusive, welcoming and creative. It allows different people to get on the same page and it forces writers to be more considerate with the words they choose.
But why is this even important?
Because the world is no longer a big place. Globalisation happened and our lives and countries are much more interlinked than we realise.
So if our writing is targeting an audience in a certain location, we need to make sure as many people as possible can understand it. Just because someone lives in the UK (for example), it doesn’t mean they are from there. Or that they are fluent in the local language.
There will always be a place for dialect and regional nuance, but using clear and simple language will (more often than not) reach the most people.
Switching to clear and simple
Now you know the theory, here’s how to apply it to your work.
The easiest way to transform a piece of writing is to swap complex or formal words for simpler alternatives.
Like this:
utilise 👉 use
additional 👉 extra
advise 👉 tell
beneficial 👉 helpful
following 👉 after
otherwise 👉 or
illustrate 👉 show
Next, check the text for slang/regional words or unnecessary jargon.
For example, think about the phrases “making a brew” (a cup of tea) or “eating a bacon butty” (bacon sandwich).
Both of these could work well for a UK-specific brand with a mostly British audience. But if the target market is more global, it could get lost in translation. Or even alienate the people that wouldn’t use those phrases.
Then check the copy for long sentences. Shorter is usually better when using the clear and simple approach.
And finally, have a bit of fun with it. Clear and simple doesn’t mean any trace of personality has to be crossed out with a red pen.
We’re still writing for people, after all.
Fragments
For anyone that doesn’t know, I have another newsletter on Substack called Fragments.
The concept is really simple: you get three writing prompts on the first Monday of every month. A theme, a word and a snippet of writing.
I’d love you to join me over there too.
Around the web
🌐 Data plays a big role in the marketing world. But this article in Branding Mag argues we shouldn’t let it become the sole source of inspiration.
🌐 Want to become a copywriter? Here are some great tips from D&AD on how to land that first job.
🌐 A New York Times journalist had a conversation with the Microsoft Bing AI chatbot. The results are … interesting, as reported by The Guardian.
One last thing …
“As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.”
- Ernest Hemingway