30 per cent of Dutch citizens find government texts too complex

Dr. Henk Pander Maat At least 30 per cent of the Dutch population has difficulty with government texts. Communications such as letters and emails are difficult to understand due to abstract or unfamiliar words and long sentences. Many readers are not sure what to do after reading the text. This is according to the 'Monitor Begrijpelijkheid Overheidstesten' (Monitor Comprehensibility of Government Texts), a study of more than two hundred texts on payment or care and support. These are texts that citizens encounter on paper or online in their contact with the government or municipality. Three research methods. Commissioned by the Taalunie , with support from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations , Utrecht University and HAN University of Applied Sciences measured the comprehensibility of government texts.