Language Level B1: why understandable text is important for accessible (video) content

Scribit.Pro stands for inclusivity. A difficult word for the desire that everyone in society can participate. By providing online video with subtitles, audio description, and a transcript (even more technical terms), the content becomes accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities. And to people with language or learning difficulties.

Video accessibility therefore also means that those subtitles are understandable to everyone, just like the visual descriptions spoken by the audio description voice. And that the transcript is written in simple language. Only then does every user truly grasp the information.

What is B1 language level?

Texts are accessible to the majority of adult readers in the Netherlands when they are written in Dutch at a B1 level. Language level B1 stands for plain Dutch. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) distinguishes six levels of language proficiency, from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient). A text at B1 level uses simple words that almost everyone knows. Sentences are clear, short, and written in the active voice. For example, not: ‘The fusilli should be served al dente’. But: ‘Cook the pasta until almost done’.

Clarity lies not only in word choice and sentence structure, but also in writing style and structure. Informative texts become clearer with a clear organization, short paragraphs, clear titles and subheadings, and bullet points. Such texts are also easier to read for readers with a higher reading level.

Get started yourself

Pay attention to the points below, and your text will become more understandable to a larger group of people:

• Write clear sentences containing clear information
• Write short sentences
• Use everyday, understandable words
• Avoid complicated formulations
• Ensure a clear and logical structure
• Avoid abstractions
• Use words only for their literal meaning and not in a figurative sense
• Explain technical terms or formal concepts
• Use examples
• Ensure a pleasant reading or listening rhythm by alternating very short sentences with slightly longer sentences

Need help with accessibility?

Curious if your own text is written in B1 Dutch? Accessibility Foundation offers a demo that scans texts for reading level.

Check whether individual words are understandable and discover possible, simpler synonyms.

Tolkie offers reading assistance to users with low literacy and writing assistance to organizations that want to produce understandable texts for those users. The tools Tolkie uses are powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Readspeaker, expert in text-to-speech technology, provides a tool that converts text into video. AI-generated avatar speakers deliver that text in multiple languages and at a reading level of your choice.

Scribit.Pro makes your video accessible and more understandable for everyone. Fast, simple, and professional. Discover our complete WCAG-proof solution.