Information about the Plain Language Big Book: A Tool to Help Access the Book Alcoholics Anonymous

No. The intent was and remains for the Plain Language Big Book to be a tool to access original text and to be a companion piece to it. The original Big Book is not going away and will remain in publication.

No. As laid out in the Conference Charter, only a 3⁄4 vote of all the groups in the world responding to a proposal has the authority to do that.

It’s estimated that ~50% of the US population cannot easily read, comprehend, and apply the original text of our big book.

Literacy concerns revealed potential accessibility barriers related to factors such as:

• Education
• Ethnicity
• English as a Second Language
• Reading Disabilities
• Brain Injuries
• Incarceration

The Subcommittee for Researching Issues, Possible Tools and Access to the Book (RIPTAB-I) produced this video to explain everything in detail:

This current project can be traced back to an agenda topic in 2016, at which time the General Service Conference began the assessment of the need for plain language literature. Following lots of in-depth research and reports, in 2021 the Conference as a whole decided:

“That a draft version of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, be translated into plain and simple language and be developed in a way that is accessible and relatable to as wide of an audience as possible and that a progress report or draft be brought back to the 2022 Conference Literature Committee.”

For information on the entire detailed timeline: Plain Language Big Book Timeline

This information can also be viewed in a presentation developed by the Chair of the Plain Language Big Book Subcommittee: Plain Language Big Book- the Journey So Far. This presentation has been used at informational sessions including for CNCA06 on 1/17/24 and the Southeast Region on 2/25/24.

Plain language is a style of writing designed for word choice, sentence structure, and layout to improve readability and increase understanding.

• The importance of plain and simple language in effective communication is recognized beyond A.A. Here are some examples:
  Plain Writing Act of 2010: “…more responsive, accessible, understandable in communications with the public.” Also, saves “time, effort, and money.”
  Texas Plain Language Law: “requires state agencies to use clear and simple language…importance of communicating effectively with the public.”
  Boston Plain Language Pledge: “use plain language in all city communications … commits city employees to communicate clearly and effectively with residents, businesses, and visitors.”

More information can be found here:

• https://www.dol.gov/general/plainwriting
• https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/services/communications-community-office/communications-101-boot-camp-canadian-public-servants/plain-language-accessibility-inclusive-communications.html

No. Most of our pamphlets are in plain language. Also, at the time the Big Book was first published, Dr. Bob was concerned that the language was beyond the capability of blue-collar members to grasp and, as a result, 5 pamphlets (still available and known as The Akron Pamphlets) were written by Evan W. at the request of Dr. Bob during the 1940s.

No. It is a rewrite into plain language that also reflects the scope of the task assigned to ensure that the draft “be developed in a way that is accessible and relatable to as wide of an audience as possible.

Five things:
1) The Doctor’s Opinion
2) The first 164 pages of the original
3) Dr. Bob’s Nightmare
4) The Appendices
5) Forewords from the first 4 editions (which, together, are now a new Appendix VIII in the translation)

There will also be a new Preface, a new Foreword, and a Glossary. The stories (other than Chapter 1 – Bill’s Story and Dr. Bob’s Nightmare) are not being translated.

Obviously we will not be changing the gender of named individuals, but where the example given is of an archetype, e.g. the Jaywalker, we will switch up things so that there is a broader representation of both men and women. Where God is mentioned, and will continue to be mentioned, this is sometime paired with ‘Higher Power.”

We don’t recall the specific conversations, but the idea was to provide balance in gendered language.

No, only where a prior pronoun wasn’t established other than “he” or “him” was a gender re-balanced in the text.

The chapter is now entitled “To the Partners”; in the spirit of inclusivity and accessibility.

5th Grade – the average for adult Americans.

No AI or text generator was used in the plain language draft.

Alcoholics chose (via a thorough Request for Information (RFI) process that included proposals from A.A. members) the best writer for the task. The writer that was eventually chosen is a not an A.A. member. Alcoholics have been reviewing the work of the writer at all stages and making changes to ensure that the intent (as expressed in the RFI) that it “must capture the welcoming and inclusive spirit of Alcoholics Anonymous and inspire a sense of belonging and hope in the alcoholic seeking help” is followed.

Confidentiality was considered to prevent any attempts to contact or influence the writer, and to maintain integrity.

No. All members were alcoholics.

The hard costs are $100K for the writer and approximately $40K in publishing- related expenses. $140K to date.

Historically, whenever the Conference reviews new or significantly revised books or pamphlets, only the Conference Literature Committee (or whichever Committee is reviewing the item) is provided with copies of the new or revised literature before Conference begins. In the case of pamphlets, all other Conference members have been required to sign out copies of the new or revised pamphlet(s) sometime during Conference and have been given a limited time to review the literature. In the case of books, Conference members, other than those on the reviewing committees, have not been given any opportunity to review the manuscripts and have, therefore, had to base their votes entirely on the recommendation of the committee. The reasons for operating in this way are as follows:

1) In order to retain the copyright of A.A.’s literature assets, we have to be able to assert that they were not “at large,” shared widely in whole or in part within the Fellowship or shared on social media, prior to being published.
2) It usually takes several years to complete a piece of A.A. literature. During that time, multiple versions of the piece are shared with there viewing Conference Committee. If shared widely, it would be possible for the Fellowship and the public to become confused about what is in revision, what is the current revision and what is “Conference Approved.”

When circumstances such as these require that we trust the Conference process explicitly, it may be helpful to remember that Tradition 2 asserts that God’s will is expressed through the group conscience and that Concept 2 states that the Conference has become “the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole Society in its world affairs.”

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many of those who initially expressed concerns liked the plain language BB after reviewing it.

“This is the most loving thing we have done for the still suffering alcoholic.” – a formerly-skeptical Conference Delegate

Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous.

Publication date: November 1st, 2024

The English Plain Language is an approach and not a language. Any translation from French/Spanish would start with those respective big book versions, rather than a translation of the English-translated version.