How plain language could help the federal government

Writing is a big part of the business of government, but now communications experts are pushing feds to learn a new style: plain English.

The goal, they say, is better transparency and even money-saved on everything from job postings to rules.

Right now, Alan Siegel told FederalNewsRadio, we're not even close.

"I think we'd all agree that the vast majority of things that we see eminating from Washington, and the private sector, are unintelligible."

Siegel leads the New York communications firm, Siegel and Gale. He said the lack of clarity is rampant across all three branches of federal government.

Lawyers, for example, want to be as specific as possible. But, said Siegle, "there's an underlying weakness in that: you can never anticipate everything. It's better, and more effective, if you want to communicate with people if you state your intent."

In the end, said Siegel, "it undermines the public trust in government. The government is talking about transparency and accountability, but in day to day practice, it's undermined by the practices of government."

Siegel said change is possible. If you simplify the content and get rid of that underlying complexity, "if you challenged it and went about it professionally."

Unfortunately, there currently doesn't seem to be enough incentive to make the effort.

"The only way it's going to change, in my opinion, is for the American people to stand up and demand clarity."

I don't see any reason why Americans should put up with this, whether it's a government contract, an IRS form, a letter you get from the government that's so unintelligible that you have to call a call-service and then wait on line for 20 minutes and then write more letters, or it's a mortgage or installment loan note or a contract from a wireless company. Why do people sign things they don't understand?

If and only if the American people refuse to accept this kind of government communication, said Siegel, and these kinds of contracts from corporations, there will be change.