Easy language in Finland - history and development of Easy Finnish
Keywords:
accessibility, easy-to-read language, easy-to-read literatureAbstract
This review article focuses on the development of Easy Finnish and presents easy materials as well as Finnish research on easy language. Easy language was developed in Finland in the 1980s, to serve the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, although soon other groups became equally important (e. g. immigrants, and people with memory disorders). Developing easy language within target groups has been a driving force in Finland, but developers have also relied on the theoretical background from research; for example, special education, communications and memory research. By definition, Easy Finnish is a form of Finnish in which standard language has been adapted in terms of content, vocabulary and structure. These aspects of language, together with elements of typography, layout and pictures, form the guidelines for easy materials. Easy language has also long been used in spoken interaction. Its aim is to prevent language-based exclusion. For several decades, news, literature and various informative materials (e. g. on voting, Kela benefits) have been published in easy language in Finland.
