Decoding the Legislative Language: A Quest for Simplicity and Accessibility
Written on June, 2020
Introduction
Navigating the labyrinthine corridors of legislative language has long been a challenge for the average citizen. The issue goes beyond mere semantics; it is about making governance and policy decisions transparent and understandable. Despite being in the public domain, legislative jargon often serves as a gatekeeper, distancing the electorate from the decision-making process. This essay critically examines the complexities surrounding the simplification of legislative language and the strategies employed to make it more accessible.
Cultural Paradigms and Historical Baggage
Legislative language is not just a product of legal necessities but is also deeply rooted in cultural paradigms. Over the years, a particular style of writing has evolved, filled with jargon and codes that make sense within the chambers of parliament but sound alien to the uninitiated. This has created a divide, making legislative documents and procedures appear as enigmatic rituals rather than public services. Changing these paradigms without sacrificing the legal integrity and precision that such language aims to uphold remains a formidable task.
The Technical Challenge
Simplification of legislative language is not merely about substituting complex words with simpler ones. Technical aspects must be considered, such as the legal requirements for precision and the necessity for terms that have specific legal meanings. These technical challenges indicate that simplification is not a straightforward process but involves a nuanced understanding of both legal terminology and public comprehension levels.
The Role of Technology and User Experience
Digital platforms have emerged as essential tools for public engagement with legislative processes. However, the transition from paper to digital has not necessarily made these processes more accessible. Often, digital platforms mirror the complexities of their paper predecessors, right down to their user-unfriendly interfaces. Improvements in user experience design, guided by a thorough understanding of the public's information-seeking behaviour, can play a crucial role in making legislative information more accessible.
Human-Centred Design and Empathy
One of the key aspects of making legislative language more accessible is adopting a human-centred approach. This involves understanding the needs of the public and designing solutions that meet those needs. A lack of empathy in the design process can result in solutions that are technically sound but practically unusable. Therefore, a human-centred approach is not just a design principle but a requirement for making legislative language and processes more accessible.
Conclusion
The simplification of legislative language is a complex undertaking that involves cultural, technical, and design challenges. While the need for simplification is evident, the path towards it is fraught with difficulties that range from overcoming historical paradigms to addressing technical legal requirements. Nevertheless, advances in technology and a focus on human-centred design offer promising avenues for making legislative language more accessible to the public. The ultimate goal is clear: to bridge the gap between the legislature and the public, making governance truly transparent and participatory.