capito goes international

Easy-to-understand language in English, Italian and French

We have been simplifying information in the German-speaking countries for over 20 years.

Now we are taking the next step. Within the framework of the ERASMUS+ project “Capito! Compris! Understood! Verstanden!” we are networking with experts from all over Europe.

Thus, we ensure comprehensibility and accessibility in English, Italian and French.

Click here to view the project on the official ERASMUS+ page.

Take a look at our project results
Easy Language in German, Italian, French, Spanish & English
Mann und Frau haben Spaß in der Arbeit - capito goes international

What is the project about?

The issue of comprehensibility affects us all, no matter what language we speak.

In Europe, various concepts for language simplification have been established. In German-speaking countries, the TÜV-certified capito method has set better standards.

This project enables an international exchange about linguistic peculiarities and challenges. Together, we develop guidelines and training materials that take into account the peculiarities of the different languages. The tools and materials developed help to increase the quality and effectiveness of accessibility trainings. 

Content on this site

Project details overview

What are our goals?

What project results are we working on?

How do we do that?

Who is this project for?

What are our goals?

Many people do not understand complicated texts. This can have many reasons. A reading difficulty is only one of many examples. Overall, this affects more than half of the adults in Europe.

Nevertheless, most information is written in complex language. This must change! Because we all need access to information that we understand.

We do our part with this project. We want to improve trainings for easy-to-understand language. To do this, we combine the practical and theoretical knowledge that all project partners bring to the table. We would like to continue this cooperation after the project.

Through our project, we want more and more people to learn how to communicate accessibly. In this way, we want to help shape an inclusive society in Europe where everyone can understand everything.

capito CCUV Projektteam im Meeting 5

What project results are we working on?

We develop 5 project outputs. You can download them here at the end of the project and use them yourself!

Project results 1 to 3: Accessibility guidelines in French, Italian and English

The guidelines are short, practical information sheets for anyone who wants to communicate accessibly. You can use them either in Easy Language trainings for adults or in your everyday life when you write texts yourself.

Project result 4: Training material

We develop different tools that you can use flexibly in your Easy Language courses. They will help you make your training even more effective and make the world even more understandable. The training material will be available in English, French, Italian and German.

Project result 5: Curriculum for co-trainers

Easy Language trainings work even better with co-trainers who need Easy Language themselves. They can give valuable insights and share their experiences. We develop a training plan for co-trainers. You can use and adapt the plan so that you too can train co-trainers to enrich your Easy Language trainings!
The training plan will be available in English, French, Italian and German.

Take a look at our project results
IMG 20230310 120646

How do we do that?

First, we translate the capito criteria into English, French and Italian. Of course, this is not a pure translation, because the criteria are adapted to each language and its specificities. Based on these criteria, we simplify texts and have them checked by people who use easily language. These can be people with learning difficulties, for example. They tell us whether they can understand the texts well. This way, we can see if we still need to adapt the criteria.

The well-checked criteria are the basis for all our project results. This way, we can be sure that we develop useful results.

At the end of the project, when our results are ready, we organise online events. For example, we invite trainers for Easy Language courses and people who need Easy Language themselves. At the online events we talk about our project results and tell how you can use and apply them.

It is particularly important for us that the project always involves people who need easily understandable language themselves. For example, they check our criteria and test our project results. They give us valuable feedback – because they are the only ones who can really judge whether something is understandable or not.

Who is this project for?

In a nutshell: for all of us.

Because a society in which all people can understand information is good for all of us.

Especially for:

  • People with learning difficulties and disabilities
  • Older people
  • People who are still learning a language
  • People who are not familiar with a subject
  • People who were not in school that long
  • And many others!

We design our project results so that many people can use and adapt them for their needs.
Our main target groups are people and organizations:

  • who themselves offer courses in easy-to-understand language and accessible communication for adults.
  • who work in the field of Easy Language and accessibility.
  • who want to communicate in a way that is easier to understand.
  • who would like to train co-trainers.
  • who work with people with disabilities.
  • who can benefit from accessible communication.

Who is participating?

We work with universities and organizations from all over Europe. They are experts in easy-to-understand language and accessibility.

In addition to capito Graz and capito Zürich, the following are also involved:

English:

French:

Italian:

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capito easy language podcast 1

Listen now:
Easy Language Podcast

Are there many texts in Easy Language in English? How accessible are Italian authorities? And how do you use gender-inclusive language in French?

We asked our project members and experts from all over Europe these questions.

Together, we talk about easy-to-understand language in the respective national languages.

Listen now on Anchor, Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

Anchor
Spotify
Apple Podcast

You want to learn more about the project?

You have questions about the project?

Feel free to contact us.

Co-funded by the European Union Logo - capito

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.