GETTY The words will now be phased out by the Government

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The Government will phase out the traditional signposts - which include 4,000 uses of e.g. alone - in an attempt to indulge non-English speakers who find them "difficult to read". It has been claimed the move was designed to promote "plain English" but critics say the mollycoddling decision is "short sighted". Those condemning the move say the words have been part of "common parlance" for hundreds of years.

GETTY The move is hoped to make it easier for non-English speakers

Roger Wemyss Brooks of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, which teaches Latin language courses, said: "Latin is part of our cultural heritage and it's part of the basis of English. "It unites us with other cultures throughout Europe and the world who have a connection with the Romance languages. "It's a very concise language which is used specifically for its precision and I think it's short sighted to be giving it up." Reacting to the news, Vince Mitchell tweeted: "Latinisms' to be removed from GOV.UK websites to prevent confusing "Foreigners"? If you can't learn ie, eg or etc, go home." GOV.UK websites, which include all government departments and several agencies or public bodies, receive millions of hits every month.

GETTY it is hoped the phasing out will make communication easier

There are better, clearer ways of introducing examples for all users. GDS content manager Persis Howe

The Government Digital Service plans to axe phrases including etc, i.e and e.g as it claims programs for those with visual impairments read such abbreviations incorrectly. The words can be misunderstood, particularly by those who "didn't grow up speaking English", it adds. Writing on the blog Inside GOV.UK, GDS content manager Persis Howe said: "We've found that several programs that read webpages for those with visual impairment read 'e.g' incorrectly, so we're updating the style guide.

GETTY The change will affect all GOV.UK websites