Clear language has its roots in the popular education movement. Popular education is a philosophy of learning that starts where ordinary people are at. Educators create learning experiences that help people look at their situation at work, at home and in the community. Workers use their own skills and experiences to identify social and economic issues, gain an understanding of their root causes and learn how to bring about social change. Learning through popular education empowers people individually and collectively to stand up for themselves and improve their lives within more democratic and participatory communities. Popular education speaks to people's needs in a language they can understand.
Clear language helps create a positive learning climate that allows workers from diverse backgrounds an equal opportunity to participate. Popular education establishes each person's right to speak and be heard, regardless of economic status, class, gender or race.
Vancouver's Progressive Literacy Group took clear language one step further in its 1986 booklet, Writing on Our Side. They talked about the difference between clear English and popular English:
Popular English is more than using easy
words and sentences. It uses language
that addresses matters of power and
control - but with the people put back in.
For example, "Miners are advised to
adhere to a schedule of chest x-rays at
two year intervals," becomes:
"Miners should get their chests x-rayed
every two years." Popular English goes
on to add: "And join the union Health
and Safety Committee. It fights to make
the mines safer."
Popular English focuses on the choice of political perspective as much as on the choice of words. It takes the standpoint of ordinary people, of the working class. Popular English aims to describe the world from the ordinary person's point of view.