We are passionate about clear communication, research and exceptional quality. 

Our two complementing companies offer you these.

i want to know more
i want to know more

We are passionate about clear communication, research and exceptional quality.

Our two complementing companies offer you these.

I want to know more
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

i want to know more
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 

i want to know more
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

i want to know more
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

i want to know more

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.

i want to know more

Exciting developments

ISO standard for Plain Language

As you might know, several South African laws and regulations require that consumer communication must be in clear and understandable language. It is also an outcome of Treating Customer Fairly (TCF).

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 SABS has appointed us (Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green) and Prof Stanley Madonsela from Unisa to represent South Africa on the ISO technical committee (TC). We recently commented on Draft 2 of the Standard. All comments will be discussed at the next meeting of the TC in February 2021.

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 Plain Language Academy of Canada to offer you a unique opportunity to enrol for two 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

Giving citizens a voice in health communication

At the recent international Plain Language conference, with the theme Access For All, we addressed the handwashing challenges of people without running water. Click here to watch a short documentary that shows how important it is to involve citizens in the design of health messages.

Thank you for sharing the video. I found it very interesting. – Dr Rajesh Narwal, WHO South Africa

Keep me updated

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.

i want to know more

Blog

Exciting developments

ISO standard for Plain Language

As you might know, several South African laws and regulations require that consumer communication must be in clear and understandable language. It is also an outcome of Treating Customer Fairly (TCF).

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 SABS has appointed us (Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green) to represent South Africa on the ISO technical committee. Part 1 of the Draft standard will be discussed on 24 June 2020. Watch this space for updates on the progress.

Unique opportunity:
Two online courses by international experts

We have partnered with the Plain Language Academy of Canada to offer you a unique opportunity to enrol for two 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

Giving citizens a voice in health communication

At the recent international Plain Language conference, with the theme Access For All, we addressed the handwashing challenges of people without running water. Click here to watch a short documentary that shows how important it is to involve citizens in the design of health messages.

Thank you for sharing the video. I found it very interesting. – Dr Rajesh Narwal, WHO South Africa

Keep me updated

Blog