News archive

Can simple language save lives?

Author says complex language got in the way on Black Saturday

20 September 2009 – In an article in The Age on Saturday 19 September, author Don Watson expressed his thoughts about how CFA management confused the message in the fires that killed so many Victorians on Black Saturday.

Mr Watson said that, in using managerial language to describe the fires and the level of risk, the CFA failed to communicate the dangers effectively. He quotes a CFA manager as saying things like "precise complex fire behaviour information" and "to communicate more effectively in a timely manner."

Many of you will have heard this kind of language used in the reports from the Royal Commission into the events of 7 February. You may also be familiar with this level of language in your day-to-day working life.

Don Watson wrote: "They neglected to tell people in concrete language that any fire on February 7 was likely to be one they could not fight and might not survive. If instead of "fire activity with potential to impact" we had dangerous, unpredictable, deadly fires... the CFA's "messagings" might have persuaded more people to get out of the way."

What do you think? Would simple language have made a difference on that terrible day? We'd love to know your thoughts on this important issue. Contact us and tell us what you think.

At the Information Access Group, we advocate the use of simple language wherever possible. As far as we are concerned, the simpler the better! We believe that getting your message across quickly and clearly is the key to success in communication.