%20Logo.png)
This Clear Language Lab webinar took place on September 23, 2021 as part of the Plain Language Foundations Series. Check out the notes below, or access the webinar recording.
A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.
- International Plain Language Federation
Key points
Breaking down the concept of cultural humility
Cultural awareness: Recognition of one’s own culture and values and the cultures and values that others have that may be different from our own
Cultural competence: Understanding, appreciation, and interaction with cultures different than our own
Cultural humility: Commitment to life-long learning, self-reflection, recognition of the roles power and privilege play, and acceptance of discomfort and the unknown
Some things to consider when talking about people
People-first Language: Aims to make personhood the essential characteristic of every person. People-first language views other descriptive social identities that people may hold as secondary and non-essential…
Self-identification: …people who are robbed of opportunities to self-identify lose not just words that carry political power, but may also lose aspects of their culture, agency, and spirit. Progressive writing, as much as possible, should strive to include language that reflects peoples’ choice and style in how they talk about themselves. If you aren’t sure, ask.
Talking about place
How are vagueness and codes used to talk about disinvested communities? From the Bass Center for Transformative Place-Making article, Recognizing that words have the power to harm, we commit to using more just language to describe places (brookings.edu), phrases often used to talk about communities in large cities that have been disinvested in:
Inner city
Urban areas
High crime
Distressed neighborhood
Blighted areas
Vulnerable communities
From the Brookings' article:
Be intentional about…minimizing stigma, acknowledging harm, and recognizing the agency of people within places
Explicitly name the systemic root causes behind conditions, inequities, and challenges within places
Be specific, strengths-based, and solution-oriented
The characteristics of white supremacy culture from Tema Okun
Here are several of the concepts that Okun connects with white supremacy culture:
Paternalism: a system under which an authority undertakes to supply needs or regulate conduct of those under its control
Individualism: maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests
Worship of the written word: Considerations of how content is produced and whether it is designed to intentionally meet the audiences needs
Urgency: Communication processes prioritize quick turnarounds rather than getting feedback from others or involving stakeholders
Resources:
Interested in learning more about professional development at Clear Language Lab? Check out other past webinars, find upcoming events on our training page, or contact Sarah Glazer, Sr. Program Manager, at sarah@litworks.org to learn more about our offerings.
© 2024 Literacy Works
Comments