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

South Africa has adopted the ISO Standard for Plain Language

On 2 February 2024, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) adopted the ISO Standard for Plain Language (ISO 24495-1). The Standard provides useful guidance for the implementation of Plain Language in our country.

We are members of the South African delegation on the ISO technical committee (TC 37). We lead the SABS mirror committee responsible for implementing the adopted Standard in South Africa.

We have two new online courses focusing on how to use the Standard in an organisation:

• How to achieve the Plain Language user experience. Read more here
• The ISO Plain Language Standard: How to make it work for organizations. Read more here

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 details.

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:

• Creating 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.

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

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