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What Is the Difference Between Plain Language and Easy Read?

Difference Between Easy Read and Plain Language

Easy Read and Plain Language are often mixed up– even though there are clear differences.
Both forms of language aim to make texts more understandable for as many people as possible.
However, they differ in target audience, rules, and implementation.

Easy Read

Easy Read was developed specifically for people with learning difficulties.
There is a strict set of rules that govern grammar, sentence structure, and layout.
Key characteristics include:

  • Simple, familiar words (no foreign or technical terms)

  • Short sentences with basic structure

  • No use of jargon, abbreviations, or idioms

  • Visual support with images or symbols

  • Structured text with paragraphs and clear headings

A text may only be officially labeled as “Easy Read” if it has been reviewed for clarity by qualified experts.

Plain Language

In contrast to Easy Read, Plain Language is not standardized.
There are no fixed rules, but many established best practices.
It is aimed at anyone who prefers clear, accessible communication, such as:

  • People with limited proficiency in the language

  • Older adults

  • Readers with cognitive challenges

Plain Language texts are characterized by:

  • Short sentences with clearly separated main and subordinate clauses

  • No use of jargon, technical terms, idioms, or abbreviations

  • Active voice instead of passive

  • Direct address of the reader

  • Use of examples and simple explanations for complex terms

Visual Recommendations for Plain Language

There are also visual recommendations to support readability, including:

  • Larger font sizes

  • Sufficient line spacing

  • Left-aligned text without hyphenation

  • Supportive images with captions

Plain Language in Eye-Able

The Plain Language module is designed to simplify text and improve readability.
By using short sentences and easy-to-understand words, the content becomes more accessible to a wide audience.

This tool was primarily developed to support users who struggle with complex language.

Eye-Able offers two main features:

  • Translate individual texts into Plain Language using the translator in the dashboard

  • Automatically convert full pages and articles into Plain Language

Further information about the Plain Language module can be found [here].