KISS. Keep It Short And Simple. That is the advice that Euro officials are now being given when drafting documents in a desperate attempt to prevent the public being drowned in EU jargon, writes Rory Watson, European Correspondent.
The practical advice comes from within the ranks of the European Union's own officials and from the very staff who are often accused by outsiders of misusing and destroying the English language ''the European commission's translators''.
As their contribution to Britain's EU presidency, the English language translators are waging their own Fight The Fog campaign in a bid to dispel the blanket of verbiage which spreads in comprehension and misunderstanding.
Today they will be given extra support when Chrissie Maher, the energetic founder of the Plain English Campaign will deliver his own broadside in Brussels against officialese.
The campaign has involved a range of talks by politicians, journalists, writers and others on the pitfalls of Euro English and includes the distribution of a booklet on how to use clear English uncontaminated by French or other influences.
Given the attention which the present efforts to simplify the use of English inside the European Union are attracting, the organisers might like to be more ambitious and aim for a wider audience.
One visitor to a Japanese hotel was recently intrigued by the invitation ''you are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid''. An Istanbul hotel was more demanding of its clients. Instructions in bedrooms noted: ''To call room service, please open the door and call room service''.
The Swiss restaurant which proclaimed: ''Our wines leave you nothing to hope for'' and the bargain basement store advising ''Don't go into another shop to be cheated - come in here'' are unlikely to attract English-speaking customers.
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