To Write Clearly or/and to Write Inclusively? Clear Writing & Inclusive Language: An Emerging Alliance for Administrative Translation

Abstract

The paper entitled “To write clearly or/and To write inclusively? – Clear Writing & Inclusive Language: An emerging alliance for administrative translation” examines the techniques of clear writing and inclusive language in the field of administrative writing. Through Corpus Linguistics, multilingual relevant guides of the European Union in English, French, and Greek (e.g., “How to write clearly” and “Claire’s Clear Writing Tips” by the European Commission, “Inclusive Communication in the GSC” by the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and “Gender-Neutral Language in the European Parliament” by the European Parliament) are analyzed, so that common guidelines and their differences are recorded and studied, to find a balance in the coexistence of clear writing and inclusive language. Through the analysis of these official guides using frequency lists, word sketches, and concordances available via the corpus management and text analysis software Sketch Engine, the aim is to facilitate communication between administrative bodies, as well as between the administration and the public.

Key questions include:

• What are the main techniques of clear writing and inclusive language?
• What is the common goal of all the individual techniques in the context of administrative translation?

The coexistence, therefore, of these two communicative values is presented as an act of responsibility and sensitivity, which contributes to the formation of a more accessible and equal society.