PLAIN LANGUAGE INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL LANGUAGE: DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CONTROVERSIAL ARTICLES IN THE JOB CREATION LAW

Abstract

Objective: This article discusses the plain language intervention to enhance public understanding of legal language, particularly regarding the controversial provisions of the Job Creation Law.   Methodology: The research was conducted through a survey distributed to individuals from various educational and professional backgrounds.   Theoretical framework: This research uses several simple language approaches such as, Bivins (2008); Mukherjee, et al. (2017); Wojcik (2013); and Wydick & Sloan (2019). This framework is used to intervene in legal language to make it simpler and easier to understand.   Results and Conclusion: The questionnaire results indicated that 82.6% of respondents had a better understanding of the simplified (plain language) version of legal text, while only 17.4% understood the original legal language version. This correlated with a decrease in the lexical density index by 9.07 (25.11%) after the implementation of plain language. These findings demonstrate that the general public faces difficulties in comprehending legal language and expresses the desire for improvements in the use of simpler and more understandable legal language. Legal documents tend to be challenging to understand due to the extensive use of technical terms, long and complex sentences, and ambiguity in expressing legal meanings.   Originality/Value: In the context of the Job Creation Law, the reduction in lexical density through the implementation of plain language has helped improve public understanding of legal language. However, there is a need for awareness and improvement in the use of legal language by policymakers and authorities to ensure that legal language is accessible to the general public.