News – capito – Easy Language https://www.capito.eu Leicht verständliche Sprache Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:03:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Easy language in business and industry https://www.capito.eu/en/easy-language-in-business-and-industry/ https://www.capito.eu/en/easy-language-in-business-and-industry/#respond Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:10:52 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=74349 Here we show the benefits of easy-to-understand information for business and industry as well as how easy language can improve internal communication.

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Improve your internal communication:

Easy Language in industry and business

People often ask us, whether easy-to-understand language is very much a niche topic. In fact, the opposite is true. Everyone can benefit from easy-to-understand information, socially as well as economically. Here we show the benefits of easy-to-understand information for business and industry as well as how Easy Language can improve internal communication.

How comprehensible is the information that companies actually publish?

Contents

We’ll start with the hard facts. In fact, more than half of the population rely on texts in easy-to-understand language. And it’s not only people with learning disabilities who are affected.

53% of people understand texts in language levels A1, A2 and B1.
However, 68% of the information published by companies is written in the language levels B2, C1 and C2.

Thus, a large part of the information is not comprehensible for half of all people. This is shown by studies on literacy, such as the LEO studies of the University of Hamburg.

What does this mean for companies?

A graphic of the language levels A1 to C2

More and more companies are becoming aware of the importance of easy-to-understand communication. This applies to both external communication to customers and internal communication to employees. 

Easy-to-understand external communication creates transparency, increases trust and reduces the workload of complaint management. Companies that communicate easily with their customers have a clear competitive advantage. 

The same applies to internal corporate communication.

Internal communication is often poorly understood

Modern companies usually have many different people working for them. People with a different first language, people with different levels of education, people with different cultural and social backgrounds.

Interne Kommunikation mit Leichter Sprache verbessern

Many of them have problems understanding texts higher than language level B1. In the work environment, this is particularly problematic when it comes to important safety and work instructions.

The result of difficult corporate information can be workplace accidents, sick leave and mistakes.

Texts that are difficult to understand can lead to employees misunderstanding or not finishing the information, which leads to lower productivity.

What does that mean in numbers?

  • In Austria, more than 120,000 people suffer an accident at work every year.
  • Each workplace accident costs a company an average of € 3,300.
  • The resulting annual costs are around € 400 million in Austria
    and around € 4 billion in Germany.

In addition to the personal tragedies, this means enormous economic damage for the companies.

3 reasons why it pays for companies to improve internal communication

Sometimes the solution to a complex problem is quite simple. 

This is also the case here: With easy-to-understand information, companies can benefit in more ways than one. 

We show the impact of easily understandable information with concrete examples over a period of 5 years .
Let’s imagine an industrial company with 500 employees.

kosten sparen leichte sprache industrie wirtschaft

1. Easy-to-understand information reduces workplace accidents

A work accident costs companies an average of 3,300 euros. If 3 accidents can be prevented per year, the company saves € 49,500 over 5 years.

2. Easy-to-understand information saves time

Employees need 30 seconds less reading time per page. The company saves a total of
5,000 working hours. With labor costs of 20 euros per hour, the company saves € 100,000
euros.

3. Easy-to-understand information reduces employee turnover

One termination costs an average of € 14,000. Preventing an average of 4 terminations every year saves the company € 280,000.

Geld sparen mit leicht verständlichen Informationen

In total, the company saved € 429,500 by providing easy-to-understand information.
This does not even include costs for extended sick leave, court cases and similar costs. 

Easy-to-understand information, on the other hand, only cost the company € 196,475 thanks to its collaboration with capito.

Easy-to-understand corporate communication with capito

The only question is: Where to start? Anyone who begins to deal with easy-to-understand language quickly realizes: Easy Language is anything but simple.

This is where capito comes in. With over 20 years of experience, we translate large amounts of complex information for all target groups to understand in the shortest possible time. To do this, we use the human know-how of our experts as well as the AI-supported software capito digital.

The texts we edit are characterized by their high quality. To achieve this, we focus on the target group. Representatives of the respective target group check the text for comprehensibility. Only when the content is comprehensible to them, we hand it over to the respective company. This way, our customers can be sure that their information will be understood.

By the way: Most of our translations are German, but we also work with other languages.

Many companies already trust in capito

Our clientele includes companies from large-scale industry as well as public authorities, media companies, museums and social enterprises. We develop customized products and solutions for them.

ASFINAG Logo
ORF Logo
ÖBB Logo
Noris Feuerlöscher Logo
fair finance Vorsorgekasse Logo
Österreichische Post Logo
SIMACEK Logo
WKO Logo
Versicherungsanstalt für Eisenbahn und Bergbau Logo
Bank Austria Logo

We make the effects of easy-to-understand language visible

We support companies in planning and implementing an individual package of measures and services. We also evaluate the impact of easy-to-understand information in companies.

This way, we make the positive effect of easy-to-understand information visible for companies and their employees.

All advantages at a glance:

  • With easy-to-understand information, companies save costs that are caused by misunderstandings and misinformation.
  • With easy-to-understand information, accidents, damage and consequential damage can be avoided.
  • With easy-to-understand information, companies can protect themselves against legal consequences resulting from work accidents.
  • With easy-to-understand information, companies create fast and efficient internal communication.
  • Easy-to-understand information increases the motivation and commitment of employees.

Sounds interesting? Then sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn! That way you’ll always be up to date. Feel free to leave us a comment if you have any questions or comments about the project.

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]]> https://www.capito.eu/en/easy-language-in-business-and-industry/feed/ 0 capito goes international: The first meeting in Graz https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-the-first-meeting-in-graz/ https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-the-first-meeting-in-graz/#respond Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:06:20 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=72034 Easy language in German, English, Italian, and French: We meet in Graz and discuss the next steps.

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capito goes international:

The first project meeting in Graz

As part of an EU project, we are networking with experts for easy language from all over Europe. Under the name “Capito! Compris! Understood! Understood!” we will conduct intensive research on the topic of easy-to-understand language over the next 2 years. Based on the research, we will then develop tools and guidelines. This is made possible by ERASMUS+ funding.

The project launch took place online in the summer. Now we finally met in persona.

The meeting was opened by the capito founding duo. Walburga Fröhlich and Klaus Candussi were on sabbatical during the meeting and sent digital greetings to the project team.

You can see them in the following video:

On site, Paul Anton Mayer (Chief Digital Officer of capito) and Ursula Semlitsch (project manager and expert for easy-to-understand language of capito) welcomed the participants.

This was followed by the first big round of introductions. The participants introduced themselves and their companies.
Among them were Guillaume Jacquinot (Inclusion Ireland), Naomi Brenner (Red Carpet for All), Karine Bardary (Com’access), Erin McInerney (Uni Freiburg) and Marlene Dax (Uni Graz). Online Bettina Nagler (capito Zürich), Anna Cardinaletti (Uni Venedig) and Valentina Paulon (Red Carpet for All) joined the meeting. atempo was presented by Melanie Wimmer. 

capito CCUV Projektteam in Graz

The content of day 1 focused on organizational points, project goals and risk management.

In the evening, we went together to the Lendplatzl restaurant, where we tasted traditional Austrian cuisine—including Kaiserschmarrn!

Gruppenfotos CCUV Projektteam online und offline
CCUV Meeting in Graz - capito goes international

On Day 2, we picked up speed in terms of content. Key points included:

  • The capito criteria catalogue, its translation into other languages and the project results we develop on it
  • The scientific exchange between the universities and the organizations
  • The exchange of knowledge on easy-to-understand language in the different languages

In the afternoon we worked out the communication plan and the project goals in more detail.

Foto von CCUV Projektmeeting - capito international
CCUV Meeting - capito goes international

At the end of the 2nd day, we summed up once again: The first face-to-face meeting brought many exciting insights. The project goals are now clearer to everyone.

Now we will get down to work. The exchange will take place mainly online in the coming months before we meet together in Venice. We are already looking forward to seeing you again!

“We were very happy to welcome our partner organizations with us in Graz. For 2 days we were able to exchange ideas, plan together, clarify organizational matters and get to know each other even better. Now we are entering the implementation phase with full energy. And we are already looking forward to the next personal meeting in Venice!”
Ursula Semlitsch
Project manager and expert for easy-to-understand language at capito
Foto von Ursula Semlitsch - capito

Sounds exciting? Then sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. That way you’ll always be up to date. Feel free to leave us a comment if you have any questions or comments about the project.

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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.

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]]> https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-the-first-meeting-in-graz/feed/ 0 capito goes international: We’re getting started! https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-kickoff-meeting/ https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-kickoff-meeting/#respond Mon, 01 Aug 2022 07:42:13 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=68956 The official project launch took place online. In addition to getting to know each other, the focus was on the project plan and the next important steps. 

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capito goes international:

We're getting started!

As part of an EU project, we are networking with experts for easy language from all over Europe. Under the name “Capito! Compris! Understood! Verstanden!” we will conduct intensive research on the topic of easy-to-understand language over the next 2 years. This is made possible by ERASMUS+ funding.

The official project launch took place online. In addition to getting to know each other, the focus was on the project plan and the next important steps. 

The first online meeting

Since the pandemic, we are all well practiced in online meetings. Accordingly, our first kick-off meeting via zoom went off without a hitch.
Ursula Semlitsch, who works as an expert in accessible language and project manager at capito in Graz, led the meeting. She introduced the teams from Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, France and Italy. Afterwards, capito CEO Walburga Fröhlich addressed introductory words to the project team.
Screenshot Zoom Kick Off capito goes international
Landkarte Kick Off capito goes international 2
Afterwards, some important organizational and content-related points were discussed. Ursula Semlitsch answered the most important questions. These include, among other things …
  • Project goals: What do you want the project to achieve? What steps are needed to achieve this? Who is responsible for what?
  • Schedule: When are meetings scheduled? What deadlines do we need to meet?
  • Project start: What are the first important steps?
In addition, there was still information regarding project management and documentation. 

Although the program was very dense, the most important point remained getting to know each other. In small groups we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and get to know each other better. This increased the anticipation for the first on-site meeting in Graz even more!

Until then, let’s get to work. In the first step, we deal with the linguistic aspects of Easy Language in German, English, Italian and French. In this way, we create a basis on which we can build our project goals.

Sounds exciting? Then sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn! That way you’ll always be up to date. Feel free to leave us a comment if you have any questions or comments about the project.

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Links und Informationen

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.

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]]> https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-kickoff-meeting/feed/ 0 capito goes international: Easy Language in English, French and Italian https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-easy-language-in-english-french-and-italian/ https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-easy-language-in-english-french-and-italian/#respond Thu, 02 Jun 2022 05:00:31 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=65891 As part of ERASMUS+, we connect with organizations and universities from other countries. Together we work on comprehensibility in German, English, French, and Italian!

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capito goes international

Easy Language in English, French and Italian

For more than 20 years, we have been working in the German-speaking world to improve comprehensibility and accessibility. Within the framework of ERASMUS+, we are now networking with organisations and universities from other countries. In this way, we ensure comprehensibility in German, English, French and Italian.

Under the name “Capito! Compris! Understood! Understood!” we will be doing intensive research on the topic of easy-to-understand language in English, French and Italian over the next 2 years. Among other things, we are developing 5 tools for adult education that will help promote comprehensibility and accessibility in the different languages. This is made possible by ERASMUS+ funding.

What is ERASMUS+?

Erasmus+ is an EU programme. The programme promotes education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
The programme’s content focuses on social inclusion, the green and digital transformation and the promotion of young people’s participation in democratic life.
Zwei junge Frauen sehen sich Projektziele für das Erasmusü Projekt an - capito goes international

What is the project about?

Comprehensibility is an issue that affects us all. Easily understandable information contributes to inclusion and accessibility. It also helps to avoid misunderstandings and misinformation. This is especially important when it comes to communicating complex information.
Over the last few years, various concepts for language simplification have become established in Europe. In the German-speaking countries, capito sets essential standards: In addition to the catalogue of criteria, the review by representatives of the target group is a fixed part of the TÜV-certified capito method.
Accessibility guidelines are being created as part of the project. They take linguistic peculiarities into account and help to make information as accessible as possible.

These are the 5 project goals:

  1.  Accessibility Guidelines in English
  2.  Accessibility Guidelines in French 
  3. Accessibility Guidelines in Italian
  4. Toolbox for Accessibility Training
  5. Course curriculum for people with learning difficulties to become co-trainers

The project facilitates an international exchange about linguistic peculiarities and challenges. The guidelines and training materials we develope together take into account the peculiarities of the different languages and at the same time create a common framework for more comprehensibility. In addition, the tools and materials developed help to increase the quality and effectiveness of accessibility training in a targeted way. 

“Every day, people are confronted with information that they do not understand or do not understand well. And not only here in Austria, but across all national and language borders. That is why we are very much looking forward to the project with so many international partner organisations. We are thus making a joint contribution to a culture of communication that excludes no one!”
Ursula Semlitsch, project manager and expert for easy-to-understand language
Porträtfoto von Ursula Semlitsch - Projektleiterin capito goes international

Who is involved in the project?

Various universities and organisations are participating in the project. They are experts in easy-to-understand language and accessibility and help us to implement the project.
Besides capito Graz and capito Zurich, these organisations and universities are involved:

English:

French:

Italian:

What's the next step?

We will accompany the project over the next few months and provide insights into our work.

What to expect:

  • Insights into the project team
  • Information on the topic of easy language in the different languages
  • Interviews with linguistic experts

The project will start in the coming weeks with a kick-off meeting. At the meeting, we will meet with the project participants at capito headquarters in Graz. In addition to getting to know each other personally, we will also celebrate the official start of the project.

Sounds exciting? Then sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn! That way you’ll always be up to date. Feel free to leave us a comment if you have any questions or comments about the project.

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Links and information

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.

These posts might interest you

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]]> https://www.capito.eu/en/capito-goes-international-easy-language-in-english-french-and-italian/feed/ 0 How does text design influence comprehensibility? https://www.capito.eu/en/how-does-text-design-influence-comprehensibility/ https://www.capito.eu/en/how-does-text-design-influence-comprehensibility/#respond Thu, 05 May 2022 13:12:24 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=63901 When texts are translated according to the rules of "plain language", they all end up looking the same. A new study now answers the question of whether the uniform design contributes to comprehensibility.

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Homepage » Blog » New study: How does text design influence comprehensibility?

How does text design influence comprehensibility?

New study brings important insights into the design of texts

Whether it’s a newspaper article, a contract or a menu: When texts are translated according to the rules of “Easy Language”, they all look the same in the end. But not only the content, but also the design follows clear rules. A new study now answers the question of whether text design contributes to comprehensibility.

Text design is the structuring and design of a text. The study was conducted by Sabina Sieghart. The design researcher investigated the question of how macrotypography influences the comprehensibility of a text.

Macrotypography is the overall visual impression of a text. This includes, for example:

  • Font
  • Font size
  • Paragraphs
  • Headings
  • Alignment
  • Use of images, tables or graphic elements such as lines, boxes, etc. 
  • Arrangement of elements on the page

This creates a different look for different types of text: A novel differs in content and appearance from a menu. The same applies to letters of application, recipes, mails or newspaper articles.

Does a uniform text design for texts in "Easy Language" contribute to comprehensibility?

Easy Language” is a form of easily understandable language. You can find more detailed information on the terminology here.

“Easy Language” follows clear guidelines that strongly harmonise and standardise the design of the various texts. Thus, a contract is no longer visually different from a social media post.

Here you can see 3 examples of uniform text design:

To find out how this affects comprehensibility, the study explores 3 questions:

  1. Does the target group for “Easy Language” use typographic features to understand a text?
  2. Can the target group for “Easy Language” recognise different types of text?
  3. Which layout supports text comprehension better: “Easy Language” or conventional layout?

38 people took part in the study. They all cannot read well and are part of the target group for “Easy Language”.

Result: Prior graphic knowledge helps with text comprehension

The exciting result of the study: The uniform design of “Easy Language” texts does not contribute to comprehensibility. The participants in the studies used their previous graphic knowledge to read texts. The design of the texts gives readers the opportunity to draw conclusions about the content.

Texts in “Easy Language” lack this additional graphic information. It is more difficult to classify the text. 

“The target group with reading difficulties needs an optimal design for their reading materials. The study clearly shows that test sheets that were available in two design variants were each better recognised in the conventional design.”

Sabina Sieghart, Design researcher

Portraitfoto von Designforscherin Sabina Sieghart - Studie zu Textgestaltung und Verständlichkeit
Read the whole study (in German) now!

Text design: This is how capito does it!

The fact that texts in easy-to-understand language have a certain appearance is neither surprising nor a bad thing. Unlike conventional texts in “Easy Language”, however, we attach great importance to allowing differences to exist in texts. The fact that an easy-to-understand legal text is visibly different from an invitation to an event in easy language is something we want.

We want the sender, purpose and aim of a text to be quickly understood. Differences in design contribute significantly to this. 

The fact that precisely these differences increase comprehensibility has now been proven for the first time by the study.

Are you surprised by the results of the study? How do you handle the design of easy-to-understand information? Share your experiences in the comments!

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]]> https://www.capito.eu/en/how-does-text-design-influence-comprehensibility/feed/ 0 Which font is easy to read? https://www.capito.eu/en/which-font-is-easy-to-read/ https://www.capito.eu/en/which-font-is-easy-to-read/#respond Thu, 05 May 2022 12:17:05 +0000 https://www.capito.eu/?p=63864 In which font should an easily understandable text be written? We commissioned a study and look into the question of which fonts contribute to readability and comprehensibility.

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Home » Blog » New study: Which font is easy to read?

Which font is easy to read?

New study brings important insights into the use of fonts

Which font should you use for a text in Easy Language? 

We have commissioned a study to find out which fonts contribute to legibility and comprehensibility.

There have long been recommendations on the font in which texts should be written in Easy Language. However, these recommendations are not based on scientific findings, but have arisen historically. For a long time, computers did not provide many different fonts. So there were only a few fonts to choose from, on the basis of which the recommendation for easy readability was then made.

We commissioned a study by design researcher Sabina Sieghart to find out which fonts can increase the legibility and comprehensibility of a text.

Sabina Sieghart is a designer, lecturer and design researcher. She is currently working on her doctorate at the University of Hasselt in Belgium.

The study focused on people with learning difficulties. The study participants read texts in different fonts. When selecting the fonts, the study concentrated on common fonts.

How was the legibility of the fonts tested?

The study tested how quickly the different fonts could be read. Errors when reading aloud were also documented. At the end, the study participants were asked what they thought about the font:

Bild einer Studienteilnehmerin die Schriftarten auf Lesbarkeit prüft
  • What do you think of the font? 
  • What do you think about the font size?

Result: The study contradicts current recommendations.

Sabina Sieghart’s study provides important insights into the legibility of fonts: the results refute some common assumptions and recommendations.

Outdated font and font size recommendations

For a long time, a font size of 14 pt and the font Arial were generally recommended for all texts in plain language. Thanks to Sabina Sieghart’s study, we know that this does not necessarily guarantee the best legibility.

What font size is easy to read?

The study shows that a font size of 14 pt is not always necessary. Smaller font sizes can sometimes even be read faster and better.

The appropriate font size also depends on the print product. In the study, 12 to 12.5 pt proved to be easily legible for print products in A5 format.

Please note that the actual size of the letters may vary depending on the font you select.

Which font is easy to read?

The font “Arial” is usually recommended for texts in easy language.

As part of the study, we tested the legibility of 5 fonts. The Arial font and 4 styles of the Thesis font family:

  • Arial
  • Thesis TheMix
  • Thesis TheSan
  • Thesis TheSerif
  • TheAntiquaB

Here you can see a comparison of the tested fonts:

Schriftarten Studie - Lesbarkeit von Texte - capito

The surprising result: The study contradicts two common recommendations for texts in easy-to-understand language.

1. The font “Arial” is NOT particularly easy to read. Arial performed comparatively poorly in the study. Around 80 % of the other fonts were read more quickly.

2. Sans serif fonts are NOT necessarily easier to read.
Serifs are small, decorative lines attached to the ends of strokes on letters. Serifs give the font a traditional, elegant look.

Sans-serif fonts, on the other hand, have no serifs and appear more modern and minimalist, like Arial.

 

The study showed that sans-serif fonts are not necessarily easier to read. Some serif fonts can even be read slightly faster than sans serif fonts.

 

Which font is particularly easy to read?

The most important finding of the study: The same principles apply to people with learning difficulties as to people without learning difficulties. 

There is no one font and font size that is best readable for everyone.
Parameters that also apply when determining legibility for all target groups are decisive. Serif fonts can be just as suitable as sans serif fonts. The important thing is that they meet the legibility criteria according to DIN 1450.

The study shows that the study participants look at and evaluate the different fonts very closely. The study advises choosing the font based on the context:
For example, if a company publishes a text in easy-to-understand language, the font chosen for the corporate design can be used. The prerequisite is that the font meets the legibility criteria. In this way, the font can help to categorize texts more quickly and contribute to comprehension.

As with uniform designs, a general recommendation for a font would be problematic and could make it more difficult to understand texts in different situations.

A detailed article with statistical data is currently being published. You can already read a short version without statistics!

Read the study (in German)

Are you surprised by the results of the study? Which font do you use for your texts? Share your experiences in the comments!

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