Words are time capsules.
“Language is fossil poetry.” –Emerson
#poetry #ACESVCON26 #VCON26 #language #words #amwriting #amediting
@carolinavonkampen.com
@carolinavonkampen.comWords are time capsules.
“Language is fossil poetry.” –Emerson
#poetry #ACESVCON26 #VCON26 #language #words #amwriting #amediting
@carolinavonkampen.comNext up at #ACESVCON26: Time Traveling With the Dictionary: Smart Ways to Use a Word's Date by @petersokolowski.bsky.social
@carolinavonkampen.comI’m attending the #ACESVCON26 virtual #editing conference this week, and I’m live posting from sessions I attended on Bluesky.
In this blog post, you’ll find a roundup of threads I made from the conference:
carolinavonkampen.com/live-from-ac... #vcon26 #amediting #edibuddies #editorsky
@carolinavonkampen.comFree downloads from @theclarityeditor.bsky.social
Worksheet: Writing clearly for your global audience: buymeacoffee.com/clarityedito...
Quick reference: Clear writing tips: buymeacoffee.com/clarityedito...
#ACESVCON26 #VCON26 #plainlanguage #amediting #editorsky #writing
@carolinavonkampen.comWriting for diverse audiences: theclarityeditor.com/resource-lib...
Plain language resources from @theclarityeditor.bsky.social: theclarityeditor.com/resource-lib...
Plain language is a civil right: theclarityeditor.com/2021/11/20/p...
@carolinavonkampen.comAnd @theclarityeditor.bsky.social has tons of great resources on her site!
How to write clear English for your diverse audiences: theclarityeditor.com/2022/07/05/w...
Non-designers can design for better readability: 3 simple principles: theclarityeditor.com/2023/02/08/n...
@carolinavonkampen.comDesign resources
The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams: bookshop.org/a/6998/97801...
Fundamental design principles for non-designers: www.freecodecamp.org/news/fundame...
@carolinavonkampen.comAccessibility resources!
“Creating Accessible Documents.” abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/c...
“Making Events Accessible.” www.w3.org/WAI/teach-ad...
Digital accessibility resources: theclarityeditor.com/2023/06/05/r...
@carolinavonkampen.comAccessibility resources!
15 Best Online Accessibility Practices disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/1...
Microsoft Inclusive Design support.microsoft.com/en-us/access...
Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities: support.microsoft.com/en-us/access...
@carolinavonkampen.comCourses on #PlainLanguage
CIEP Plain English for Editors course (paid e-learning course)
Why Use Plain Language? What Science Says About Our Brain’s Reading Process (paid Editors Canada webinar with Cheryl Stephens)
Simon Fraser Plain Language Certificate (paid online course)
@carolinavonkampen.com#PlainLanguage resources for editors
PlainLanguage.gov Full archived version is on the WaybackMachine: web.archive.org/web/20250926...
Garbl's Guide to Writing for English Learners, Multilingual Readers, and Translation: www.garblwriting.com/p/writing-fo...
@carolinavonkampen.com#PlainLanguage resources for editors
Plain Language Association International, "What is plain language?" plainlanguage.com/what-is-plai... (If you’re a member, check out the Resource Bank)
Plain language —Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines
www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#i...
@carolinavonkampen.comWhen using plain language principles to edit for global audiences, we consider the intended readers and adjusting our edits and queries to help them find, understand, and use the information.
The hardest part may be recognizing our own ingrained worldviews!
@carolinavonkampen.comBe careful how you use symbols, icons, and colors, as they may be understood differently in different parts of the world.
Symbols, icons, and color can be helpful but make sure the readers can understand the meaning in other ways (for example, label the icons with text).
@carolinavonkampen.comDon’t rely on colors alone to convey meaning. 🎨
Color can help some readers, but people who are colorblind or reading in B&W may not be able to understand and use that info. Make that information accessible in other ways as well, such as with text labels.
@carolinavonkampen.comInclude alt text for images. 🖼️
Add alt text. It improves accessibility for people using screen readers as well as for those who have low internet bandwidth.
@carolinavonkampen.comKeep the subject and verb close 👯♀️
Readers can better follow the sentence when the subject is kept close to the verb.
Consider splitting the sentence if needed. (Sentences: 15-20 words on average.)
@carolinavonkampen.comBe clear: Who is doing what?
Make it clear who does what (by when), so readers can easily understand what part is relevant for them.
Favor the active voice (if appropriate). Use “you” and “we.”
@carolinavonkampen.comUse geographically inclusive language.
Give the specific dates, months, year. The seasons are different northern vs. southern hemisphere. Some regions don't have 4 seasons.
Relative times/dates (“this year”, “this fall” etc.) will become obsolete or out of context quickly.
@carolinavonkampen.comWrite out the date. Different countries express dates differently.
For example: 8/10/26
Is this August 10 or October 8, 2026? Or October 26, 2008? 🤔