Part 5: History of Plain Language in Canada
5. Volunteer Activities
Early work (mid 80s) in Vancouver developed from the concept of “popular English.” The Progressive Literacy Group published a pamphlet called Writing on Our Side in 1986.
In the late 80s, David Elliott began to report on Canadian activities in “Canada Notes” in the international CLARITY Journal. In 2004, Elliott guest-edited the journal’s #51 which featured 7 other Canadian authors. Australian Robert Eagleson toured Canada in 1989 at the invitation of the CLIC Plain Language Center. After hearing from Eagleson, plain language advocates formed a Working Group that brought local people together.
Cheryl |Stephens began publishing the international newsletter Rapport: News about plain languagein 1991. The Editors Assoc of Canada hosted conference in Toronto: The Plain Language Conference. 1992
Canadians Kate Harrison and Cheryl Stephens founded the Plain Language Network in 1993. It is now known as Plain Language Association International and it holds an international conference every other year. The first 2 PLAIN conferences were in Canada:
- Language that works! Calgary, Alberta, 1997
- More than Just Language, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1995
I recently discovered that my trove of plain language memorabilia was not destroyed as I had been led to believe. I hope that soon I can share more historic items with you. Please add your own exoeriences via the comments.