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.

1. How to Write Using
International English
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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
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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
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4. Why use International English
Benefits of Using International English
Better communication
Improve the localization process
Lower translation costs
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5. International English Best Practices
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6. Overview of Best Practices
 Natural Voice
 Simplify
 Clarify
 Choose Your Words
 Reduce Sentence Complexity
 Keep It Tight
 Be Consistent
 Respect Other Cultures
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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
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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
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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 …
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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.
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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.