klarspråk

Klarspråk, literally clear language, is a Swedish concept and practice aimed at making official communications from government agencies and public authorities easy to read and understand. The goal is to enable citizens to grasp rights, obligations and services without unnecessary effort or confusion. Klarspråk covers both text and presentation, including layout, typography and the navigability of digital and printed material.

Core principles include using active voice, short sentences, everyday vocabulary, precise terms, direct address to the reader, and avoiding unnecessary jargon. It also encourages explaining legal terms, using headings and lists, and providing summaries. Texts should have a logical structure, coherent flow and accessible design.

In practice, klarspråk is implemented through guidelines, training and review processes within public bodies. Agencies publish checklists, sample texts and often conduct user testing or readability assessments. The approach has been promoted in Sweden since the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of broader efforts toward transparency, accessibility and citizen-oriented governance. It is now common for ministries, municipalities and other public authorities to pursue klarspråk-friendly communication on matters such as forms, website content and official notices.

Critics note that legal precision and formal language may sometimes clash with simplification. Proponents argue that clear language improves the accessibility of information and reduces misinterpretation.

See also: plain language, accessibility, Swedish public administration.