From Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison Whiteside
We are advocates for plain language who have been active in building the plain language movement for nearly 25 years.
We have set October 13 as International Plain Language Day. This annual event celebrates the work that is being done around the globe to bring clear communications to everyone. We decided to launch this event after seeing the great success experienced in building the LinkedIn Group Plain Language Advocates.
2011 was the first IPLDay and it was enjoyed by many around the world. You can see what happened last year by visiting our page at Facebook.com/InternationalPlainLanguageDay.
This year we will add an online component, which we will organize, to the local events.
In 2012 we are going to use visual media – YouTube and SlideShare – to share ideas, tips, and activities so we can all learn and advance this important movement.
Cheryl Stephens
Facebook.com/PlainLanguageWizardry
Kate Harrison Whiteside
Filed under: iplday, iplday resource |
IPLDAY 
I was pleased when plain-language advocates launched the first Plain Language Day last year. I didn’t do much to “celebrate,” but I did follow various Web links about it. I’m sure the next event will be even more effective as advocates generate more enthusiasm.
I’m wondering, though, if the acronym for this day (and the short blog title) will be much help. IPLDay? It hardly captures my attention or interest, and I’m an active supporter of plain language. How effective will it be to people who know little or nothing about plain language?
Isn’t careful or limited use of vague, unrecognizable abbreviations and acronyms advised by plain-language advocates?
Of course, it’s easy for me (or anyone) to complain and criticize about something. So what’s an effective alternative for short-hand references to the complete, long name of the day?
“Plain Day” is a possibility. At least it includes complete words. And it’s odd enough that people who aren’t familiar with plain language might try to figure out what it is and what it means — or follow links to websites about it. On the other hand, it certainly highlights “plainness,” which might not be a good thing for countering critics who contend (incorrectly) that plain language is white-bread, boring writing.
Or how ’bout using a short descriptive phrase to highlight the day (and use the full name where space is not a critical concern): Clear Writing Day, Clarity Day, A Day for Clarity. I know there could be concerns about those ideas: It’s not just about writing. The Clarity ideas identify a particular plain-language organization (and one with a unique audience). But are those concerns more valid than concerns about the meaning of “IPL”?
How ’bout: A Day for Readers? Readability Day? Read Write Day? Something that focuses on the ultimate audience of our concern?
Just some, uh, initial ideas. Thanks for listening, uh, reading!
Gary
Thanks for your input, Gary
Other than as shorthand for the blog site, we plan to use for full title.
That’s good news, Cheryl. So I assume that abbreviation will be seen only within the blog–such as above where I see it? It won’t be used outside the blog, where potential readers won’t have any clue what it means?
Yes. That is our intention.
It is just a very long url to type put the whole thing.