Sunday, March 22, 2009

U.K.'s Local Goverment Association bans jargon

BBC News has reported that the Local Government Association (an association of 466 local government authorities throughout the UK) is encouraging its staff to avoid the use of jargon. According to the BBC, local and central governments are often criticized for their use of language.

Margaret Eaton, chair of the Local Government Association, explained its reasoning: "During the recession, it is vital that we explain to people in plain English how to get access to the 800 different services that total government provides with taxpayers' money. Councils have a duty, not only to provide value for money to local people, but also to tell people what they get for the tax the pay. People would be furious if they have no idea of what services their cash is paying for and how they should get to use them".

Hear,hear!

To see the complete list of the 200 words the Local Government Association has banned, click here.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Good grammar!

I can't believe it's almost that time of year again! But it is...

Yes, March 4th is National Grammar Day according to the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar (SPOGG).

Though it may still be snowy and cold where you live (it's cold here, but the snow's pretty much gone) -- I hope you take a moment to celebrate the role good grammar plays in making an all too confusing world world a wee bit easier to understand.