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Red tape A
Characteristics of bureaucratic language A STUDENT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A LOAN IN RELATION TO AN ACADEMIC YEAR IF HE/SHE: (a) has attained1 the age of 50 years before the first day of the course; (b) has received another loan in relation to the same academic year; (c) has received another loan in relation to another academic year which began during the same period 1st August to the following 31st July during which the academic year began; (d) is eligible in respect of that year to receive:
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(i) any payment under a bursary or award of similar description bestowed on2 him/her under section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968(2) the amount of which is not calculated by reference to his/her income.
2 reached given to
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Forward
Your request to demolish1 the garage adjoining2 your property is hereby rejected. Any and all appeals regarding this decision must be submitted to the undersigned3 by Jan 31 2018. No exceptions to the aforementioned4 procedure will be considered. 1
knock down 2 next to 3 the person who wrote this letter 4 mentioned earlier
Some publications produced by companies or government departments are difficult to understand because they use language that is very different from everyday English. • They frequently use words that are longer and ‘grander’ than their ordinary equivalents. • They often use a passive form instead of an active one, e.g. ‘Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible’ instead of ‘We will resume normal service as soon as possible.’ • They use nouns as the subject of the sentence when they are not necessary, e.g. ‘Achievement of this module is dependent upon candidates meeting the assessment outcomes’ instead of ‘To achieve this module, candidates must meet the assessment outcomes.’ • They use a noun instead of You, e.g. Customers will be informed of …’ instead of ‘You will be informed of …’ or even ‘We will tell you about …’ These words are more frequent in a bureaucratic context: Work will commence in May. [start] (noun = commencement) The company ceased operations last year. [stopped functioning] (noun = cessation) Property belonging to the deceased will be returned to the next of kin. [dead person] [closest relative] In the event of an emergency, call 121. [if there is] In the event of fire, the building must be evacuated immediately. [people must leave] Tenants must endeavour to keep communal areas tidy at all times. [try] The developments will facilitate movement of traffic in the area. [make possible, easier] Residents will be instructed what to do in the event of an emergency. [will be told] The project will proceed to the next phase in June. [move] We are currently attempting to rectify the situation. [put right] Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. [start again]
B
Bureaucratic correspondence There is some specific vocabulary that characterises bureaucratic letters: Please acknowledge receipt of payment. [inform us that you have received] With the compliments of Smith and Co. [written on a slip of paper sent with an item from a company] Please notify us immediately of any change of address. [inform] I would be grateful for a reply at your earliest convenience. [as soon as possible] Contact us if further clarification is required. [you need more of an explanation] I enclose payment in respect of your invoice. [relating to, for] I am writing with regard to your advertisement. [about]
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English Vocabulary in Use Advanced
