We are passionate about clear communication, research and exceptional quality.
Our two complementing companies offer you these.
We are passionate about clear communication, research and exceptional quality.
Our two complementing companies offer you these.
BHI32 is an experienced communication design and research consultancy. Our expertise lies in the development field and the water sector.
Services:
- Communication strategies
- Impact assessments
- Technical writing
- Editing and publishing, and
- Quantitative and qualitative research.
Through our work in the public sector, we learned how ordinary South Africans make sense of complex information. The Plain Language Institute CC was founded in 2009 to build on this experience.
Meet some of our clients
The Plain Language Institute helps companies to design communication that is clear, relevant and useful.
In doing this, we focus on the needs of the customer. We help you to design communication for the full customer journey. That includes documents like policy wordings and schedules, forms, bills and contracts. We also test documents to make sure they are clear and usable for customers.
Meet some of our clients
BHI32 is an experienced communication design and research consultancy. Our expertise lies in the development field and the water sector.
Services:
- Communication strategies
- Impact assessments
- Technical writing
- Editing and publishing, and
- Quantitative and qualitative research.
Through our work in the public sector, we learned how ordinary South Africans make sense of complex information. The Plain Language Institute CC was founded in 2009 to build on this experience.
Meet some of our clients
The Plain Language Institute helps companies to design communication that is clear, relevant and useful.
In doing this, we focus on the needs of the customer. We help you to design communication for the full customer journey. That includes documents like policy wordings and schedules, forms, bills and contracts. We also test documents to make sure they are clear and usable for customers.
Meet some of our clients
Cognitive Action Research
Most major policy and strategic business decisions rely on data that surveys collect. Unfortunately, the gap between the world of the researcher and that of the respondent is often so large that respondents don’t understand research questions as intended and give inappropriate answers. Inappropriate answering is a risk for the data integrity of surveys. And, of course, also for informed decision-making.
We’ve partnered with Iske van den Berg from CRC to develop a methodology to address inappropriate answering, called Cognitive Action Research (CAR). CAR combines the fields of action research, cognitive interviewing and Plain Language.
We’ve applied CAR in surveys in South Africa, the UK, Rwanda and Kenya. However, CAR has a much wider application than surveys. We’ve used CAR successfully to test concepts for MultiChoice, and a self-assessment tool of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Exciting developments
Update on ISO Standard for Plain Language
The International Plain Language Federation (IPLF) is developing an ISO Standard for Plain Language. The Standard, once adopted, will provide useful guidance for the implementation of Plain Language in consumer communication.
The working group has approved Draft 5 in May and the techinical committee expects the final approval of the Standard by early 2022.
The SABS has appointed us (Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green) and Prof Stanley Madonsela from Unisa to represent South Africa on the ISO technical committee. We are also members of the IPLF’s committees for certification and localization.
NEW! Advanced online course
Implementing Plain Language as a strategic priority
This course will empower you to make your organization truly customer- or citizen-centred. Click here for the detail.
We have also partnered with the international Plain Language Academy to offer you a unique opportunity to enrol for online courses by internationally acclaimed plain language experts:
Writing clear e-content by Kate Harrison Whiteside. Read more here
Health literacy and Plain Language by Romina Marazzato Sparano. Read more here
PLAIN’s Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award
The Plain Language Academies recently received the Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award for their ground-breaking contribution to the field of Plain Language. The Plain Language Institute is proud to be part of the team at PlainLanguageAcademies.com.
Cognitive Action Research
Most major policy and strategic business decisions rely on data that surveys collect. Unfortunately, the gap between the world of the researcher and that of the respondent is often so large that respondents don’t understand research questions as intended and give inappropriate answers. Inappropriate answering is a risk for the data integrity of surveys. And, of course, also for informed decision-making.
We’ve partnered with Iske van den Berg from CRC to develop a methodology to address inappropriate answering, called Cognitive Action Research (CAR). CAR combines the fields of action research, cognitive interviewing and Plain Language.
We’ve applied CAR in surveys in South Africa, the UK, Rwanda and Kenya. However, CAR has a much wider application than surveys. We’ve used CAR successfully to test concepts for MultiChoice, and a self-assessment tool of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Blog
ISO Plain Language Standard FAQs
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 Organization For Standardization Approves First Plain Language Standard
The standard will help people around the world access and use information.June 20, 2023 — Today, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formally approved its first international plain language standard. The new standard will help improve written...
Positioning Plain Language at a strategic level
The trend is to align Plain Language with business goals and integrate it into the organisation’s business strategy.
Exciting developments
Update on ISO Standard for Plain Language
The International Plain Language Federation (IPLF) is developing an ISO Standard for Plain Language. The Standard, once adopted, will provide useful guidance for the implementation of Plain Language in consumer communication.
The working group has approved Draft 5 in May and the techinical committee expects the final approval of the Standard by the end of 2021.
The SABS has appointed us (Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green) and Prof Stanley Madonsela from Unisa to represent South Africa on the ISO technical committee. We are also members of the IPLF’s committees for certification and localization.
NEW! Advanced online course
Implementing Plain Language as a strategic priority
This course will empower you to make your organization truly customer- or citizen-centred. Click here for the detail.
We have also partnered with the international Plain Language Academies to offer you a unique opportunity to enrol for online courses by internationally acclaimed plain language experts. The next round of courses will start in August 2021. Watch this space for details.
PLAIN’s Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award
The Plain Language Academies recently received the Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award for their ground-breaking contribution to the field of Plain Language. The Plain Language Institute is proud to be part of the team at PlainLanguageAcademies.com.
Keep me updated
Blog
ISO Plain Language Standard FAQs
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 Organization For Standardization Approves First Plain Language Standard
The standard will help people around the world access and use information.June 20, 2023 — Today, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formally approved its first international plain language standard. The new standard will help improve written...
Positioning Plain Language at a strategic level
The trend is to align Plain Language with business goals and integrate it into the organisation’s business strategy.