Language Mismatch

Language mismatch - not everyone speaks the same English.
The vocabulary normally used by qualified professionals is a barrier to communication with average citizens.

• Government information releases use nearly three times more Latinate words than the average for English used by the public
- Original research by Optimum Communications Development

• “..64% of the leaflets produced by hospices and palliative care units in the UK were readable by only an estimated 40% of the population” S. Sihota & L. Lennard, ‘Health Literacy’ (National Consumer Council, 2004)

• “ - professionals must be supported with the tools to be able to tailor information to individual need” Better information, better choices, better health (DHS, 2004)

• “Nearly four out of 10 adults in some parts of England cannot read or write properly” Improving literacy and numeracy - A fresh start. The report of the working group chaired by†Sir Claus Moser, 1999

• One in five Britons has not read a book in the last year
- Gallup UK, 2004

• “Some 26 million adults lack English or math skill levels expected of school - leavers”   “.. the Get On programme aims to help 1.5 million more people by 2010” The National Audit Office

• “£3.7 billion will have been be spent on the Get On programme - aimed at reducing illiteracy, innumeracy and language shortcomings - by 2006”. National Audit Office

For more information www.literacytrust.org.uk/socialinclusion