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Jimbalaya
Wherefore … and what?!
By JIM HARRINGTON
Article published on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 |
Gov. Crist brought some more light on government with his plan to make state-level government speak to its residents in English, or plain language, without all the wherefores, whereas and heretofores that pile up in everything from letters to agendas at public meetings.
As reported in both Tampa Bay daily newspapers and by the governor’s own office, the “Plain Talk Initiative” … is his “first executive order to ensure clear, common language is used in government documents and information is presented in a logical sequence.
The new standards require short sentences written in active voice and a visually clear layout design. The deadline for review of existing communications, publications and other documents is April 2, 2007.
“You hear people throw out these acronyms,” Crist said in the Times.
“It’s very difficult to understand, and I’ve always sort of had this sense that there’s an arrogance about that.”
My only wish is that the governor had some sway over business communication. You know, stuff you get from the bank.
“Pursuant to our previously discussed agreement, I am enclosing two notices that require your authorization before they can be executed.”
How about “Per our conversation, I’m asking you to sign these two forms.”?
Along those lines, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued “A Plain English Handbook” to help make certain documents are a little easier to read and understand.
The author of that book, William Lutz, wrote a great book that I’ve checked out from the library a few times. It’s titled “Double-Speak From ‘Revenue Enhancement’ to ‘Terminal Living.’”
Lutz defines double-speak, the antithesis of which is the notable aim of the plain-language policy, as “language that pretends to communicate but really doesn’t. It is language that makes the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, the unpleasant appear attractive or at least tolerable.”
I understand the predicament that government clerks face when they write an agenda. I just wish that one day I could see the words “looking for bids,” instead of the usual “request for proposal,” or RFP.
Even request for bids sounds better. I’m not proposing to the government. I’m married.
Here’s another one I don’t like. BOLO, which is police-speak for “be on the lookout.” A typical news release from the police might read like this. “The police chief has issued a BOLO for a tall, dark-haired Caucasian male who was last seen in the immediate vicinity of Wood Lane and Mayberry Road.”
How about shortening that down to this? “The police chief wants his officers and the public to watch out for a tall, white male with dark hair who was last seen by Wood Lane and Mayberry Road.”
Then there’s CIP, which stands for Capital Improvement Plan. How about long-term budget?
It’s nice to see government embracing common sense. With any luck, businesses will catch up and drop the pretentious lingo.
Jim Harrington is the editor of the Largo Leader, Clearwater Citizen.
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Article published on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007
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