Plain and easy language as a new trend of communication between the state and society

Abstract

Analyzing the modern communication practices of authorities at different levels, as well as speeches and posts on social networks of a number of Russian officials, the author of points to noticeable changes in the style of communication between the state and society compared to previous periods. These changes seem to be caused by the need for the authorities to master the increasingly popular new media and communicate with an audience that, due to its training, cannot perceive information in an official style. The trigger of these changes, outlined since the advent of new means of communication and supported by the active spread of the Internet, was the situation of the coronavirus pandemic, which required the state to build crisis communications that require clarity of messages, speed of their delivery and appeal to the emotions of the audience. The noted changes can be considered a trend that will only intensify, including due to the growth in popularity of ‘plain and easy language’ observed in many European countries, which has become a response to the problem of low level of reader literacy. However, it will mainly be supported due to the active development of new formats of communication between the state and society, built on the basis of popular social networks among the audience, which can be considered the result of the so-called fifth communication revolution, which blurs the line between written and oral speech and leads to the emergence of new speech genres. State institutions willingly accept changes and express a desire to seek a new tone of voice in communication with citizens, as well as to learn relevant communication practices.