Diversity Thursday: Easy Read and Plain language

Language is our tool for expressing ourselves, understanding and grasping the world around us. But what happens when language becomes a barrier? Have you ever heard of Easy Read or Plain language? These concepts were developed to make texts and information more accessible for everyone. In this Diversity Thursday, we would like to show you what plain and simple language is and how it can make our communication more inclusive.

What is Easy Read language and what is Plain language?

"The concepts of Easy Read and Plain language aim to remove linguistic barriers for those who do not understand everyday or specialised language (such as 'official German', academic language) or who find it difficult to understand." (Federal Agency for Civic Education 2014)

Easy Read and Plain language are not the same thing, even if the terms are often used interchangeably. They differ in their target group, the rules and their application.

This is Easy Read language:

Easy Read language should be as easy to understand as possible. There are clear rules for the creation and translation of texts in plain language. These were further developed and standardised in March 2025 in the "Recommendations for German Plain Language" (DIN SPEC 33429). Plain language emerged from the disability rights movement. It is primarily aimed at people with cognitive disabilities or learning difficulties. It is an important step towards greater participation and self-determination.

One of the rules is that only short sentences without subordinate clauses are used. If difficult words (e.g. technical terms, long words or foreign words) are used, they are explained. The typeface also has guidelines, e.g. that large and clear fonts are used and that each sentence begins on a new line. Pictures should help to make the content easier to understand. Texts in plain language are also created together with the primary target groups of plain language to ensure that they are understandable.

Does this look familiar?

These are translated excerpts from the website ‘Die H-BRS in einfacher Sprache’ (H-BRS in easy language).

The website furthermore contains information about diversity at H-BRS in German Plain language: Informationen über Diversitätsarbeit an der H-BRS in einfacher Sprache.

The library also offers information in German Easy Read language on its website: Informationen über die Bibliothek in leichter Sprache.

We invite you to take a look around.

This is Plain language:

Plain language does not follow the fixed rules of Easy Read language. It is closer to our standard language and somewhat more complex. Plain language was promoted by legislative institutions and associations from the library and publishing industry in order to make texts easier to read in terms of both language and content. The DIN standard 8581-1, which contains recommendations for the use of plain language, has been in place since 2024.

One advantage of plain language is that it is particularly useful for topics relating to law, health, public policy, government and corporate communication. This information is often written in technical language. As it often affects many people and influences their decisions and rights, it is particularly important to convey it in an understandable way. This can increase trust and achieve faster and better results.

Text in plain language can be helpful for anyone who is not very familiar with a topic or needs a quick overview. It helps everyone to grasp information quickly. People with reading and spelling difficulties, older people, people with little knowledge of German and tourists also benefit from plain language.

Critical perspectives on Easy Read and Plain language

On the one hand, Easy Read language is an important access point for people with disabilities, as it enables them to access information independently and participate actively. On the other hand, there is a risk that its separate use will create a parallel system that contradicts the basic idea of inclusion: equal participation for all.

Another point of criticism concerns the lack of standardised definitions, guidelines or standards. Although these have been developed in recent years, experts such as Bettina Zurstrassen emphasise that, in addition to sets of rules, scientific studies from a linguistic and sociological perspective are also necessary in order to further develop the concepts (Zurstrassen 2015, p. 136).

In addition, it is criticised that content can be lost when language is simplified. Gudrun Kellermann (2014) counters that this also happens with translations between foreign languages. Every translation leads to a certain loss of content. It is important to be aware of these changes and to learn early on to critically scrutinise translated or simplified content.

"The provision of texts in understandable language is urgently needed for democratic and social reasons." (Zurstrassen 2015, p. 136)

If people do not understand information, they cannot make important decisions or actively participate in social life. Easy Read and Plain language help to give more people access to knowledge and services.

We invite you to consider the principles of plain language in your scientific and administrative communication. In this way, we can work together to break down barriers and facilitate access to information for all students and staff. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sources

• Bundeszentale für politische Bildung (2014): Leichte und Einfache Spache. Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, 64. Jahrgang, 9-11/2014, Bonn.
• Kellermann, Gudrun (2014): Leichte und Einfache Sprache – Versuch einer Definition, in: Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, 64. Jahrgang, 9-11/2014, hrsg. v. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Bonn, S. 7 - 10.
• Rüstow, Nadine (2015): Leichte Sprache – eine neue „Kultur“ der Beteiligung, in: Didaktik der inklusiven politischen Bildung hrsg. v. Christoph Dönges, Wolfram Hilpert, Bettina Zurstrassen, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Bonn, S. 115 – 125.
• Zurstrassen, Bettina (2015): Inklusion durch Leichte Sprache? Eine kritische Einschätzung, in: Didaktik der inklusiven politischen Bildung hrsg. v. Christoph Dönges, Wolfram Hilpert, Bettina Zurstrassen, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Bonn, S. 126 -138.
• Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales | Erstmals einheitliche Empfehlungen für die Deutsche Leichte Sprache
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung | Kann Leichte Sprache/ Leichte Bilder Politik erklären?
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung | Was ist einfache Sprache und wo liegen deren Vorteile?
• DIN | Erste DIN-Normen für Einfache Sprache veröffentlicht
• Infoportal Einfache Sprache | Merkmale der Einfachen Sprache
• inklusiv online | Leichte Sprache vs. Einfache Sprache
• www.einfache-sprache.com | Einfache Sprache - kurz erklärt

Contact

Do you have any questions, comments or requests? Feel free to contact us at respekt@h-brs.de.