Easy Guidelines For Writing International English
October 13, 2008 by 
cindy
Do you need to communicate with a broad international audience?
Is your website an international website?
Here are some easy guidelines to follow to write better for an international audience:
American Or British
First, decide whether you will be using American or British spelling and vocabulary. There is no quick and easy rule here. Ask yourself where this will be read most.
- Will it be read by a majority of non-native English speakers located in former British colonies, in the European Union? If so, then British English might be your best choice.
- Are you writing for an American company? If so, then American English might be your best choice.
This is a strategic marketing decision.
Remember, with regards to writing International English, neither choice is right or wrong. It depends on who will be reading it and who you represent.
- You can internationalize both American and British English.
Once you choose whether you will write in American or British English, you then need to conform to the appropriate standard English usage. Be logical, literal and precise.
Strip All Cultural References
Before you begin to internationalize your content, you need to take away all specific cultural flavor. Get rid of:
- All cultural references.
- All colloquial phrases
Once you have a text devoid of cultural images, language and reference points, you can then edit your text for easy international comprehension.
Simplify Your English
People do not always use simple grammar. We complicate sentences.
Non-native English speakers will understand your content much better if you:
Use:
- Short sentences
- Simple sentences
- Verbs in your sentences
- Complete sentences
- Words with only one meaning
- Easy to pronounce words
- Positive writing
- Lists
- A glossary
Avoid using:
- Verbs with “ing” where it is not appropriate
- The passive voice
- Adverbs
- Abbreviations and acronyms
- Wordiness and redundant text
- Numerical dates
- Long paragraphs
- Semi-colons
- Quotation marks
- Too much punctuation
Clarify Grammar
Here are some things you must always use properly:
- Clear pronouns
- “ing” words
- If…then
- Reference to something that is previously said
- The placement of descriptive words
Clarify Content
To help non-native English speakers understand your content, you need to:
- Be precise.
- Give explanations, directions where there might be confusion or a question.
- Make each sentence short and clear.
- Keep one thought per sentence.
- Keep one topic per paragraph.
Writing International English
Are your grammar lessons are a bit fuzzy? Don’t worry, writing in International English is not an exact science.
It takes good cross-cultural communication skills. And it also takes practice and experience in both writing and in international communication in general, to write one text to appeal to a broad international audience.
Read The Whole Story
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This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 5 - Connect With Your International Markets This is where you can read more on how to connect with your international markets. |
| 2.9 |
How To Get Your Computer To Read Foreign Characters
September 30, 2008 by cindy
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
How can you get your computer to read non-Latin foreign language characters?
Sometimes it is the smallest of things that get us stumped in international business development.
This is understandable. It is often the first time you have to do so many unfamiliar things.
Are Foreign Languages Stumping Your International Business Expansion?
If this is your first time targeting a foreign country, expect small hurdles to pop up unexpectedly.
Internet lets us do a lot of online research. And as you dig further into your international research, you will want to research in foreign languages.
Some people are surprised when they first try to read certain foreign languages on their computer screens.
If this is the first time looking at non-Latin characters on your computer you will probably not be able to read anything.
Latin characters are the abc alphabet.
People refer to different “character sets” and this is sometimes abbreviated to “char sets”.
Don’t worry…
This is just a small technical hurdle. It is easy enough to fix.
Different Character Sets In Foreign Languages
When you research a country with a different alphabet or “character set”, or a non-Latin based language, you might not be able to get anywhere.
The problem is often closer to home than you realize.
- Your own computer settings.
You simply need to set the parameters on your own computer to “read” these different languages.
Using Your Keyboard To Type Different Characters
But before you jump in to correct your computer settings to read different character sets, let’s think this through a little.
- What happens when you get beyond this initial stage of reading non-Latin languages on your computer?
You might want to “write” a page or two for your own website.
- How can you write in a a different character set on your computer, with your current keyboard?
Your first attempts might give your readers a series of “?”, “/” and “-”s.
- Do you need to write something in this language and want everyone else to see it clearly?
Set Your Computer For Foreign Communication
When you go in to change your computer settings to read different character sets…
why don’t you also take a couple of minutes to make the changes to write in different character sets as well.
You simply need to make a few easy adjustments to your computer settings.
Before making the changes, ask yourself if you need to enable your computer to:
- Read and view different character sets?
- Put up pages on your own website that will look good to all of your readers?
You can follow easy how-to instructions here:
More Useful Resources To Get International Clients
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Key International ResourcesFind more information here to help you expand your business into foreign markets |
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Free Translation ToolsAre you facing language barriers? |
| 2.5 |
Finding Foreign Search Engines
Quick answers to…
Your Frequently Asked Questions
This is part of a series to answer the questions readers leave on my blog and business directory.
If you have a question you would like to have answered, related to international business development, cross-cultural marketing or international sales communication, simply leave a comment here below and I will get back to you.
Today’s question is:
Where can I find a list of the top foreign search engines for each country I am targeting?
As usual, Google is a good place to start.
When you search for “leading international search engines” you find:
This website gives you all you need to get started.
I think this question actually highlights the barriers we can put up all by ourselves.
The internet is a everyone’s communication tool. It is easy to find factual information for all cultures online. And this question is about facts.
International business is different from what we are used to in our domestic markets. The good business skills you already have to operate in your domestic market will help you in your international markets.
Don’t remain stuck…
Both Google and the telephone will get you over just about any hurdle you come across.
Getting back to your question…
Use the Search Engine Colossus to look up the leading search engines for each of the countries you are targeting. Select as many of search engines as you need to cover a large percentage of your market.
Many international search engines actually use Google’s search algorithms. But not all of them. In some countries, the leading search engines have nothing to do with Google.
Now…
Even if the foreign search engines use Google’s search algorithms you will probably still get better results if you actually register your website with the local country search engines.
At least… this definitely used to be the case.
But Google is improving its international searches. There may be a time in the future when you will not necessarily find any extra benefit from taking the time for foreign submissions.
Even if it is useful to do so today.
If you are actively targeting a specific country, take the time to look up the leading search engines.
Here is what you need to:
- Register your website with the foreign search engine
- Get your website spidered by the foreign search engine
- Get your website associated with your foreign keywords
For each country you are targeting. The submission process may be different.
You need to put in the appropriate information in the forms. Don’t worry, it is not complicated…
But, do not simply have anyone in your company fill out the forms. Be sure to have your web marketing person involved.
It is a good idea to do a preliminary research to note the details required and then think about how you want to fill them in. For example, to decide who your key contact person should be.
Some countries require you to have at least one page on your website in their foreign language. You will need to do this before filling in the submission form. So take a few minutes to review the process.
A little time spent registering your website with foreign search engines increases your international visibility.
Read More On Search Engine Submissions
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Foreign Search Engine Guide• How easy is it to set up an international website? Read about your international communication platform options. |
More To Plan Your International Business Development
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Guide 2 - Plan Your International Sales Road Map |
| 3.2 |
International Business Development Resources
September 9, 2008 by cindy
This post will be continually updated - please leave the name of your company and link below.
Do you have a service
(other than a foreign language or translation service)
the Get International Client readers would like to know about?
Then please leave a comment with your link below.
Part Of The Key Resource Page
A link to this post is on both the Key Resources main page and the Key Resource for the International Sales Road Map.
This post gives all of the Get International Clients readers visibility and a place to promote their products and services.
Comments Are Moderated
Your comments are moderated, so it may take a day or two to be approved.
And just to be clear…
This is only for international business development services, so if your comment is not approved it is probably because I found it inappropriate.
Need A Specific Service To Expand Internationally?
If you need help finding a specific service, other than language or translation services, use the comments section below to share your own resources.
For Language & Translation Services Leave Go Here
If your company has a foreign language and translation service, then please do not post your comment here. Please use post them here:
Thank you, this helps readers and gives you best visibility,
The International Sales Road Map Key Resource Guide
Don’t forget to check out these resources.
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Key International ResourcesYou will find more information here to help you expand your business into foreign markets |
| 3.2 |
Foreign Language And Translation Resources
September 8, 2008 by cindy
This post will be continually updated - please leave the name of your company and link below.
Do you have a language or translation service
the Get International Client readers would like to know about?
Then please leave a comment with your link below.
Part Of The Key Resource Page
A link to this post is on both the Key Resources main page and the Key Resource for the International Sales Road Map.
This post gives all of the Get International Clients readers visibility and a place to promote their products and services.
Comments Are Moderated
Your comments are moderated, so it may take a day or two to be approved.
And just to be clear…
This is only for international business development services, so if your comment is not approved it is probably because I found it inappropriate.
Need A Language Or Translation Service?
If you need help finding foreign language and translation services, use the comments section below to share your own resources.
For Other Services Leave Your Comments & Links Here
If your company is not in foreign language and translation services, then find the right place to leave your link. Thank you, this helps readers and gives you best visibility,
Do you have another service or product for international business development?
Then leave your comment here:
The International Sales Road Map Key Resource Guide
Don’t forget to check out these resources.
|
Key International ResourcesYou will find more information here to help you expand your business into foreign markets |
| 3.2 |
Foreign Search Engine Submissions
August 13, 2008 by cindy
Last updated 15 September 2008
If you submit your website to foreign search engines you will get better search engine results in foreign markets.
Read more on why you should submit your website to foreign search engines for more international visibility. There are also articles here to show you how to do it.
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Where Can You Find A List Of Foreign Search Engines For The Country You Are Targeting? |
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Easy International Leads
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Knowing How Your Foreign Prospects
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How To Submit Your Website To
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Get Your Website
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How To Submit Your Website
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Remember to also have a look at the articles in the:
Website Internationalization Guide |
Don’t Miss The Whole Story
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This is part of the Get International Clients Business Guide 2
Plan Your International Sales Road MapBe sure to check out the other elements you need to plan your international sales strategy |
| 2.5 |
Get Past Language Barriers To Get International Clients
Different businesses go about developing their international business at different speeds. Several early reasons come in to play. The main reasons are:
- Your own visibility and understanding of your international potential
- Deciding what product to market abroad
- Finding your international markets
Your budget and manpower resources also have a direct influence on how you go about the process of developing your international markets.
Getting Stuck In Language Barriers
Language barriers often come up immediately and stop or delay most small businesses from developing internationally.
When a small business owner is confronted with different languages, he has two choices: Read more
A European Marketing Resource List - PowerAge Europe 110
July 23, 2008 by cindy
AdAge recently published their yearly listing of the 150 top blogs and bloggers in advertising, marketing and media.
A European Marketing Resource List
The original Power150 list was primarily American. To help companies with their European marketing needs, I extracted all the European entries from the larger AdAge list of nearly 750 blogs to create this list.
With only 6 months existence, Get International Clients is on the list!
