Formalised for Dummies

Hey there! So, the word "formalised" is really just another way of saying "making something official" or "establishing a rule or process." Picture this, my friend: you know how when we play a game, there are certain rules we have to follow? Well, those rules make the game fair and organized, right? In the same way, when something is "formalised," it means that rules or processes have been put in place to make sure things are done in a certain way.

Now, let's dive a bit deeper into this word. Have you ever had a secret handshake with a friend? It's like your own special "code" to greet each other. It's something that only you and your friend know, and it's not something everyone else can join in on. But what if you wanted to include more friends in your secret handshake club? You might have a meeting and decide on a set of hand movements and words, right? That way, you've "formalised" the handshake by creating rules that everyone can follow.

So, "formalised" basically means taking something that was maybe more casual, spontaneous, or unclear, and turning it into something organized, official, and clear. It's like putting a structure in place to make sure everyone knows what to expect and how to act.

Now, there's another meaning of "formalised" that you might come across. It can also refer to the act of expressing or documenting something in a more formal way. Let me give you an example. You know when we write a letter to someone, we usually start with "Dear" and end with "Sincerely"? Those are formal ways of addressing and closing a letter. So, if you were to take a casual message you wrote to a friend and turn it into a more proper and structured letter, you could say that you've "formalised" your message.

To sum it all up, "formalised" means making something official, establishing rules or processes, or expressing something in a more formal and structured way. It's like giving something a clear structure and making sure everyone knows what's happening.