Plain Language and Organizational Challenges

Karsten Pedersen

doi:10.1177/2158244014539517

Abstract

Changing the language in an organization is a major organizational change. In this article, I discuss some of the organizational challenges for one specific language change implementation, taking the stance that language change must be treated as any other organizational change for it to have an effect. I work with the case of the Danish tax authorities’ language project aimed at producing more readable letters. The empirical data that I work with are two qualitative informant interviews. One recorded at the language project’s headquarters where they lay out the general lines for the project, and the other at the payment center where they use the revised letters.

Highlights

Under headings such as “Plain Language,” “Plain English,” Clarity,” and so on, there exists an endeavor to make organizational language more comprehensible to costumers and citizens
That means that even if plain language reforms are the goal, they do not have to be in focus, organizational change does
The interviews seem to suggest that plain language can be accepted and seen as a relevant and desirable development by most staff as a result of it being seen as organizational change

Summary

Introduction

Under headings such as “Plain Language,” “Plain English,” Clarity,” and so on, there exists an endeavor to make organizational language more comprehensible to costumers and citizens. While a change to a more comprehensible language practice seems quite sensible, the organizational challenges should not be underestimated. The Danish tax authorities (called SKAT from the Danish ‘skat’ meaning ‘tax’) are in the middle of a large language change program, which includes a centralization of the language in standard letters as well as occasional letters. Among other things, this means that the central language unit (in collaboration with local offices) is responsible for language change in a substantial number of letters. I interviewed a representative for the central language unit

Methods

Results

Conclusion