It sounds like what you're referring to Jacqueline is that sometimes we go overboard on the other side: uh, meaning that we want to say a lot with fewer words, or we want to use simple language, and there's often a big argument in our group about whether to exactly follow grammatical principles or not, but I think that what you just gave us was an example of why you still have to be a very skilful and careful writer, even to write things simply.

I think so. Thank you, Michelle.

Thanks very much Jacqueline for your call, and I think--I don't know whether the word euphemism has been used, or if people are sensitive about offending, and they don't want to just come out and say something that's not nice or that's difficult to hear, and this actually came from an OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) press release that was sent out about a car accident, and it stated: "The driver sustained injuries inconsistent with life." In other words, was killed on the scene. But you know they didn't want to say, he was "dead on arrival" or whatever, because you don't want to be that blunt. And I know that I'm guilty of that many times, in terms of sort of beating around the bush rather than just saying something because you don't want to offend somebody. Anyway, we'll continue our discussion after the 90-second newsbreak, which is coming right up. Who needs a lesson in plain language? [gives out phone numbers]

--newsbreak--

Welcome back to the Ontario Today phone-in, I'm Dave Stephens. Who needs a lesson in plain language? That's our question, Michelle Black from the Plain Language association my guest in studio, and Sandra is next on the line from Bracebridge. Hi Sandra. Sandra can you hear me?

Uh yeah, can you hear me all right?

Yeah, there you are. Go ahead.

Ah, no I was thinking that English is such a wonderful language. I think it was Churchill that said that it's the only language you can talk about a virgin land pregnant with possibilities.

[laughs]