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Plain and simple: easy language by Apostroph

Apostroph’s easy language text editing service covers two areas. On the one hand, easy language is aimed at people with reading difficulties or poor language skills. On the other, it targets the entire population by wording complicated texts in a customer-friendly way. We can support you with our specialist linguists in both areas.

  • Comprehensible preparation of challenging content
  • Information made accessible to people with reading difficulties
  • Complex content that is customer-friendly
  • Positive image thanks to clear communication
  • Equal access to information for everyone
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Easy language makes information available to everyone

In Switzerland alone, there are an estimated one million people who suffer from reading difficulties. There are many reasons for this: poor skills, dementia or cognitive disabilities. The importance of access to information for these people became apparent at the beginning of the pandemic. At that time, the Swiss federal government communicated the rules of conduct, from the importance of washing your hands to keeping your distance, using multilingual easy language. And there is even an “Easy language” button for German, French and Italian on the parlament.ch website. Our language professionals can also word your texts or official messages so that they will be understood by everyone.

Conveying core information in a highly simplified way

Easy language uses the strongest form of simplification and is written at level A1 or A2. There are numerous rules to be observed. Some of them are: the use of basic vocabulary, one sentence with a maximum of eight words per line, active instead of passive, no foreign words, the present tense and numbers as figures instead of as words.

Easy language from Apostroph for understandable language

Attracting customers with simple, understandable texts

Simple language is quite a different matter. It is aimed at the general public and does not follow rigid rules, but aims to convey information in a customer-friendly way. In a study carried out in collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig, researchers examined the terms of contract of a major insurer. Among other things, they came across a “tapeworm sentence” with 66 words straggling several lines – something that clearly exceeds the processing capacity of the reader. Conclusion: such verbal constructs hinder trust and certainly don’t encourage a customer to actually choose a particular insurance policy. This is why it is worth revising complicated texts into accessible, simple language. Apostroph’s language professionals know how to extract the essence of your content and communicate it clearly.

Communicating in a customer-friendly way using simple language

Even those who understand well can struggle with formal bureaucratic German. An increasing number of companies and government agencies have recognised that providing information in a simplified form meets a need. With our simple language specialists, we can help you revise complex documents and make them customer-friendly.

Do you have any questions or are you interested in working with us?

I would be happy to answer your questions or introduce you to Apostroph Group and our services in a personal meeting.
Nadia Gaille
Head of Customer Success
Simple language and easy language: references

Our strongest arguments are our references

Other companies that have entrusted their marketing and communications projects to us can be found under References.

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The advantages of our easy and simple language text editing services at a glance:

  • Qualified copywriters who are familiar with the comprehensive rules of easy language
  • Experienced copy professionals who know how to transform complicated phrases into simple language
  • Professional copywriters with the necessary knowledge for simplifying challenging texts with legal, scientific, official or other content
  • Both easy and simple language services available in multiple languages
  • SSL encryption for secure data transfer
  • Information security in accordance with ISO 27001

Achieving goals together

  • Your projects in the best hands

    We work with single points of contact. As a result, you will be looked after by a highly experienced contact person who takes your needs into account and keeps you up to date at all times.

  • A spirit of partnership

    We have long-standing partnerships with many of our clients. In addition to quality, they appreciate our values such as reliability, transparency and fairness.

  • We speak your language

    Depending on the project, we put together specific teams of internal and external experts who are well versed in your corporate language.