People in Arnhem who cannot make head nor tail of official letters sent to them by their local council can send the document back and ask for a translation into more comprehensible language.

Recipients of the letters can mark particularly woolly passages and return the letter via mail or email. The responsible civil servant then has 10 days to explain themself.

The scheme is aimed at improving communication between the council and locals and will be evaluated in six months, public service chief Maurits van de Geijn said. “I think it’s important we understand each other,” he said.

The council cited two examples of officialese used by the council. “With the information provided by you an investigation was started by me into your financial position” should be “I investigated your financial position using your information”.

Another reads “In this administrative appeal you make clear on what grounds you do not agree with our decision” and should become “In your letter you tell us why you don’t agree with our decision”.

Árnhem is following in the footsteps of Haarlemmermeer and Leeuwarden where people can also return incomprehensible letters to the council.

Locals can also report woolly official language to the Meldpunt voor Onbegrijpelijke Zaken (centre for incomprehensible matters) which organises clear language trainings for verbose local councils.