Lecturer: Reka Lorinczy
I received a letter from the tax authorities that I have to pay a fee.
I’m looking for how long I have to pay.
But I do not really find it.
He says: “The levy is due until the due date,
to this and to this account. “
“For the total amount of the levy established
the original due date
the 15th day after the payment order becomes final. “
“The day on which the order for payment becomes final,
if no appeal is filed against him –
the day after the last day of the period for lodging an appeal. “
(Laughter)
“This order of payment against the communication within 15 days
there is an appeal. “
It’s clear, is not it?
(Applause)
How many such texts do we see each day.
Not only does NAV write such, but banks, mobile operators,
the common representative, everyone.
Let’s see that this is not normal.
It is absurd that a paycheck does not reveal itself quickly and clearly,
how long should I pay.
That the authorities and the companies are not able to formulate,
what they want from us.
What is even more absurd,
that we take this as completely natural,
since this has always been the case.
Why was this so?
When I ask this question, the most common reaction is:
“They do it deliberately, so we do not understand, do not we?”
I think in most cases this is not the case.
First of all, not only do we take this style,
but also those who write these texts.
They saw this in their wake.
In addition, most texts are not written down,
but they are working on ready-made templates.
On the other hand, it is very difficult to look at things with fresh eyes.
Anyone who wrote this letter knows exactly what these deadlines,
and how they are built on each other.
But you have to quit this knowledge.
You almost have to forget to write that you also understand,
who is not aware of all this.
The third reason is over-regulation.
There are plenty of rules for official texts.
Often, the marketing department can understandably formulate something,
but by the time the legal department approves it, it is completely incomprehensible.
However,
so that we can make it clear and comply with the regulations.
And if we do this, we could spare a lot of nervousness and retribution.
My hairdresser told me,
how did he find out when he got a threatening official letter.
Then he called the clerk who comforted him,
that there is nothing wrong with it, it has to be a formality.
On the other hand,
that it would be better for him to write this letter.
You should not answer repulsive phones,
and reach faster than you want.
In addition, we could save a lot of money.
For example, if we did not skip the payment deadline,
that we do not understand what the deadline is.
In fact, it could be even more serious for incomprehensible texts.
You may even die in an abbreviation.
A woman turned to a doctor for a knot in her chest.
The doctor examined it, found nothing,
and wrote to the record as “control pe”.
“Control pe” ie, for control complaint.
In English, if you continue to hurt, go back.
But that woman did not understand.
He did not go back in time, did not receive the necessary treatment,
and ultimately died in cancer.
The good news is that you can make it understandable.
It is going on in many other countries. Norway, the Netherlands,
I heard from Hungarians living in France,
to better understand the official and business letters there,
like the Indians, even though they hardly speak the language.
It’s up to you whether we’re changing that.
When you next sit down, change your perspective.
Try thinking about your reader’s head.
For many years,
so that I can understand such and similar texts.
I suggest you look into the following 4 things:
Begin with the essence, but with what the reader is about.
For example,
why, how much, how long and how to pay.
If you keep track of deadlines in the NAV letter,
that the payment deadline is 31 days from receipt of the letter.
Unless you appeal.
Then write it down.
(Laughter)
Call the reader.
Feel that you are talking to him, not about him.
Do not write this:
“There is an appeal against this order for payment.”
There is no human in this sentence.
Instead, write “so you can appeal”.
Use readers’ words, as they will understand.
Write a “payment deadline” instead of “due date”.
Finally, write short sentences.
Do not forget the beginning of the sentence until it reaches the end.
Understandably write is not easy,
but the more you practice, the better you will go.
And the better
for all of us.
(Applause)
I received a letter from the tax authorities that I have to pay a fee.
I’m looking for how long I have to pay.
But I do not really find it.
He says: “The levy is due until the due date,
to this and to this account. “
“For the total amount of the levy established
the original due date
the 15th day after the payment order becomes final. “
“The day on which the order for payment becomes final,
if no appeal is filed against him –
the day after the last day of the period for lodging an appeal. “
(Laughter)
“This order of payment against the communication within 15 days
there is an appeal. “
It’s clear, is not it?
(Applause)
How many such texts do we see each day.
Not only does NAV write such, but banks, mobile operators,
the common representative, everyone.
Let’s see that this is not normal.
It is absurd that a paycheck does not reveal itself quickly and clearly,
how long should I pay.
That the authorities and the companies are not able to formulate,
what they want from us.
What is even more absurd,
that we take this as completely natural,
since this has always been the case.
Why was this so?
When I ask this question, the most common reaction is:
“They do it deliberately, so we do not understand, do not we?”
I think in most cases this is not the case.
First of all, not only do we take this style,
but also those who write these texts.
They saw this in their wake.
In addition, most texts are not written down,
but they are working on ready-made templates.
On the other hand, it is very difficult to look at things with fresh eyes.
Anyone who wrote this letter knows exactly what these deadlines,
and how they are built on each other.
But you have to quit this knowledge.
You almost have to forget to write that you also understand,
who is not aware of all this.
The third reason is over-regulation.
There are plenty of rules for official texts.
Often, the marketing department can understandably formulate something,
but by the time the legal department approves it, it is completely incomprehensible.
However,
so that we can make it clear and comply with the regulations.
And if we do this, we could spare a lot of nervousness and retribution.
My hairdresser told me,
how did he find out when he got a threatening official letter.
Then he called the clerk who comforted him,
that there is nothing wrong with it, it has to be a formality.
On the other hand,
that it would be better for him to write this letter.
You should not answer repulsive phones,
and reach faster than you want.
In addition, we could save a lot of money.
For example, if we did not skip the payment deadline,
that we do not understand what the deadline is.
In fact, it could be even more serious for incomprehensible texts.
You may even die in an abbreviation.
A woman turned to a doctor for a knot in her chest.
The doctor examined it, found nothing,
and wrote to the record as “control pe”.
“Control pe” ie, for control complaint.
In English, if you continue to hurt, go back.
But that woman did not understand.
He did not go back in time, did not receive the necessary treatment,
and ultimately died in cancer.
The good news is that you can make it understandable.
It is going on in many other countries. Norway, the Netherlands,
I heard from Hungarians living in France,
to better understand the official and business letters there,
like the Indians, even though they hardly speak the language.
It’s up to you whether we’re changing that.
When you next sit down, change your perspective.
Try thinking about your reader’s head.
For many years,
so that I can understand such and similar texts.
I suggest you look into the following 4 things:
Begin with the essence, but with what the reader is about.
For example,
why, how much, how long and how to pay.
If you keep track of deadlines in the NAV letter,
that the payment deadline is 31 days from receipt of the letter.
Unless you appeal.
Then write it down.
(Laughter)
Call the reader.
Feel that you are talking to him, not about him.
Do not write this:
“There is an appeal against this order for payment.”
There is no human in this sentence.
Instead, write “so you can appeal”.
Use readers’ words, as they will understand.
Write a “payment deadline” instead of “due date”.
Finally, write short sentences.
Do not forget the beginning of the sentence until it reaches the end.
Understandably write is not easy,
but the more you practice, the better you will go.
And the better
for all of us.
(Applause)
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