How to Write Using International English - Excerpt
Download as PPT, PDF5 likes2,599 views
The document discusses best practices for writing in International English to facilitate localization for global markets. It defines International English as a writing style that emphasizes comprehension and cultural neutrality. Some key guidelines covered include using a natural voice, simplifying language, choosing words carefully to reduce complexity, and respecting other cultures. The goal is to write clearly and directly to aid translation and ensure content can be localized cost-effectively worldwide.
How to Write Using International English - Excerpt
- 1. How to Write Using International English © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 2. Course Overview  What Is International English?  Why Write Using International English?  How to Write in International English  Preparing Visual Content for Localization  Workshop Exercises  Summary © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 3. What Is International English? A writing style that makes it cost effective to localize content for markets worldwide • Includes translation of text and changes to graphics • Emphasizes comprehension and cultural neutrality Examples • User guides, technical documentation, presentations, websites, marketing materials, training courses, knowledge base articles © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 4. Why use International English Benefits of Using International English Better communication Improve the localization process Lower translation costs © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 5. International English Best Practices © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 6. Overview of Best Practices  Natural Voice  Simplify  Clarify  Choose Your Words  Reduce Sentence Complexity  Keep It Tight  Be Consistent  Respect Other Cultures © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 7. Natural Voice Make sure your writing sounds natural Avoid sentence constructions that sound awkward to native English speakers Read the text out loud to identify awkward passages © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 8. Keep it Simple Write clearly and directly One thought per sentence Be literal-minded • Helps the translator • Aids comprehension in non-native English speakers Use active voice as much as possible Write to a 6th grade reading level © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 9. Choose Your Words – Parts of Speech Avoid verbs ending in -ize • Budgetize, incentivize, monetize • Emphasize, generalized, customized, standardized • You’re looking to increase your productivity and minimize your ✗ ✓ costs. You want to increase your productivity and reduce your costs. ✗ ✓ ✓ … which includes personalized, hands-on group training … … which includes private, hands-on group training … … working in groups, you receive private, hands-on training … © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 10. Choose Your Words – Parts of Speech Articles • First occurrence of a noun use indefinite article – a or an • Subsequent occurrences, use definite article – the ✗ ✓ The list of choices will appear. Find your selection on the list. A list of choices will appear. Find your selection on the list. © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 11. Best Practices Respect Other Cultures – Maps Don’t use maps, particularly those showing borders between countries or regions Depicting disputed territories can cause offense Example: • Showing Kurdistan on a map of Turkey • Or the Kashmiri territory on a map of India © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.