Vieglā valoda Latvijā

Abstract

The paper provides a general overview of easy-to-read language both abroad and in Latvia. In English, there are two terms that are used to refer to easy-to-read language: “easy-to-read” (also “easy write”, “easy info”, “easy access”, “aphasia friendly”) and “plain language” (also “plain writing”, “layman terms”); in Latvian, “easy-to-read” is used the most. Currently, the Latvian National Terminology Portal offers only one term, namely, vieglā valoda (“easy-to-read” in English); therefore, this term is used throughout the paper. Since 1980s easy-to-read language both in Europe and the whole world has been known as a way of presenting information to people with various language learning disabilities. However, over time it became clear that easy-to-read language is suitable not only for people with learning disabilities: it is convenient for other groups of people as well, such as those who have just started learning the language in question, elderly people and children. At first, easy-to read language developed in parallel in Scandinavia and Germany. In 1990s, Latvian experts visited colleagues in Sweden to learn about easy-to-read language. Already during the first meeting, the idea to introduce easy-to-read language in Latvia in cooperation with the Easy-to-Read Language Centre was born. In 2000, the Easy Language Agency was founded in Riga, and up until now it remains the only organisation in Latvia consistently and purposefully working in this field. Although at first the aim was to help people with intellectual disabilities, now there are already 7 target groups in Latvia that use easy-to-read language. Latvian Radio 1 features news broadcast in easy-to-read language every evening. There is a lack of public understanding and information on easy-to-read language in Latvia, as well as its role and importance, since many people believe that it concerns only the target audience or target groups in question and does not need to be addressed at the national level. While the websites of Latvian state institutions are required to have an “Easy-to-read” section, the regulations do not specify the content such a section should have. In addition, there is a general lack of knowledge and understanding how to adapt a text to easy-to read language: often such adaptations are formal or inadequate. In the autumn of 2020, the University of Latvia Centre for Applied Linguistics and the Latvian Language Agency began a new cooperation project with ERASMUS+: “Promoting Easy-to-Read Language for Social Inclusion” (abbreviated to PERLSI). The project duration is set until 2022, and the partners are Slovenia and Lithuania. The project aims to present a comparative study on easy-to-read language in the partner states. Regarding the project outcomes, Latvia awaits easy-to-read language guidelines that would promote further development of easy-to-read language in Latvia, as well as its practical application.