Easy-to-Read Language
Easy-to-read Finnish is a form of the language that is easier to understand than standard Finnish. Approximately one out of ten Finnish people need easy-to-read language. The Finnish Centre for Easy Language (Selkokeskus) at FAIDD promotes easy-to-understand information, communication and culture in Finland.
Easy-to-read language is meant for people who have difficulties reading or understanding standard language. Many people with intellectual disabilities, elderly people and people with memory problems need easy-to-read language in their daily lives. Immigrants learning Finnish as a second language also benefit from easy-to-read language.
Why is easy-to-read language needed?
Complex language prevents many people from acting in the Finnish society as citizens in their own right. The purpose of easy-to-read language is to help people who need it to gain information, read, express their thoughts and participate. Easy-to-read language is accessible language. All people have the right to understandable language, which is a precondition for independent life and empowerment in society.
The Finnish Centre for Easy Language has estimated that there are around 650 000 – 750 000 people in Finland who need easy-to-read language. There is an even larger group of people who can benefit from easy-to-understand communication at least in certain situations.
Finnish Centre for Easy Language
The Finnish Centre for Easy Language (Selkokeskus) is a national centre of expertise on easy-to-understand language. The centre promotes easy-to-understand information, communication and culture in Finland. Its goal is to advance the status and language rights of users of easy-to-read language in Finland. The centre offers information and guidance to anyone interested in easy-to-understand language.
Tasks of the Finnish Centre for Easy Language:
- publishes the Selkosanomat easy-to-read newspaper and its Swedish affiliate Lätta bladet
- realizes outreach projects
- grants the SELKO logo to easy-to-read publications
- organizes training in easy-to-read language
- produces easy-to-read text services
- develops easy-to-read language and advances research on accessible communication
- serves as a channel for collaboration and sharing of information in the field.