PLAIN eJournal

The Brussels Plain Language Experience 2025 in November by all accounts was an amazing experience for people who attended. Sharing knowledge from around the globe generated energy and inspiration to expand plain language understanding and usage. While this issue of the PLAIN eJournal cannot re-create that energy, I hope sharing some of the knowledge that was presented in Brussels can inspire you, our readers, in your work.

Read all the news about the 5 plain language standards with the International Organization for Standardization. So much has happened in the global plain language community since the ISO - International Organization for Standardization published ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. The (Plain Language Association International) PLAIN eJournal has published some quick updates since then — mainly in the form of closing articles from the president of the International Plain Language Federation.

The latest issue of the PLAIN eJournal focuses on structure and design — how the visual appearance of a communication is just as important as the words.

Published during Plain Language Week, this issue explores the culture of plain language — how culture shapes our work and how plain language practitioners, in turn, help shift culture in their organisations and communities.

This edition reflects on four themes that emerged during PLAIN's 2023 conference in Buenos Aires: developments in Argentina, artificial intelligence, legal design, and organisational change.

Collaboration: The Heart of Plain Language Advancement — this issue explores the many forms collaboration can take in plain language work, from user testing and mentoring to international standards and AI-assisted editing.

This issue invites plain language practitioners from around the world to share their results proudly — with case studies, regional perspectives, and expert insights demonstrating the real impact of clear communication.

PLAIN's eJournal Vol. 4, No. 1 focuses on the theme of getting to know your reader — who they are, what challenges they face, and what they need — with contributions from 12 writers across 8 countries.

With the long-awaited plain language ISO standard in the final stages of approval, this issue reflects on the years of work that have gone into making it a reality, with articles by the people who developed it.

This issue focuses on the work of the International Plain Language Federation, with updates on the developing ISO plain language standard, progress on certification and training, and perspectives from plain language advocates across Europe.

This issue brings highlights from PLAIN's 12th international conference in Oslo, Norway, in September 2019, including Scandinavia's world-leading plain language models, the power of collaboration, and how plain language helps protect public safety.

This first issue of the PLAIN eJournal introduces six countries joining the global plain language network — Hungary, Germany, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia — showcasing the growing momentum for clear communication across languages and cultures.