GTP bots for easy language

If you don’t feel like reading the full blog post, skip it and head directly to the Leichte Sprache GPT bot (German) or the GPT Langage Facile (French).
Note: A paid ChatGPT Plus subscription is required to use OpenAI’s custom GPTs!

About “easy-to-read” or “easy language”

Leichte Sprache (the German name) or langage facile (the French denomination) is more than just a simplified form of the language; it is a standardized easy-to-understand version of the language. It is defined by various national rule sets, as well as the Inclusion Europe standards.¹

The easy language is quickly gaining popularity in Luxembourg thanks to the recent efforts by the government on implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.²

In Luxembourg, the Klaro service from APEMH is the reference center for accessible communication and serves as a benchmark for translating texts into easy language.

Governmental websites like guichet.lu are putting efforts into translating their own content. The first article of guichet.lu in easy language went online only recently (in July 2022!) and was translated by Klaro.³ Since then, dozens of other pages have been translated, in German and in the French easy language.

The GPT translation bot

The GPT bots for Leichte Sprache and FALC

On November 6th, OpenAI announced the possibility for users to create GPTs, which are custom versions of their ChatGPT and can combine instructions, extra knowledge, and any combination of skills. Following this, I began developing a GPT chatbot capable of translating German text into Leichte Sprache. [2023-11-22 Update]: Later on, I created the French equivalent.

Given particular rules of standardized easy language, this task entails considerable “training,” rule prioritization, feeding the AI examples, and numerous hours of testing & parameter adjustment. Parameterization is conducted entirely in natural language (no coding), but a deep understanding of Large Language Models and proficient prompt design skills are essential to achieve the desired outcome.

But all the work was worth it as the results are remarkable, especially when compared with the poor easy language competences of the out-of-the-box version of ChatGPT. And it’s quick!

[2023-11-20 Update]: The bot can now additionally answer questions and generate text in Leichte Sprache. Its purpose is not limited to translation anymore.

The caveats

No replacement for human translators

‼️ Please keep in mind, this GPT is not meant to replace human translators. Its purpose is to encourage people and organizations who didn’t plan to do so, to offer their content in easy language. Its purpose is to widespread the use of it for a more inclusive communication.

Currently, the two easy language bots are outputting a text which is more or less 80-90% translated. It always needs a little human work to adjust the quirks, but it significantly streamlines the translation process.

Compliant easy-to-read involves is more than just translation 

Translation is just one part of the process. In addition to the tasks handled by the GPT (rewriting, word choice, sentence structure), a text seeking to utilize the “easy-to-read” logo must adhere to specific design and format criteria. It also needs to include illustrations to elucidate the content and be professionally reviewed and validated by people with learning difficulties.

Therefore, while this GPT can assist in significantly streamlining the translation process, it cannot fully transform any text into compliant easy-to-read material as defined by organizations like Inclusion Europe.

Screenshot gallery of the Leichte Sprache GPT bot

1. https://www.inclusion-europe.eu/easy-to-read-standards-guidelines/ ↩︎
2. https://mfamigr.gouvernement.lu/de/publications/rapport/crdph/premier.html ↩︎
3. https://guichet.public.lu/fr/actualites/2022/juin/28-falc.html ↩︎