International English

Last updated 17 October 2008

In This Business Guide:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is International English Or Global English?
• How Is International English Different?
• Why Use International English?
• Are There Varying Degrees Of International English?
• How To Choose Your Website Communication?
• American Or British English?

More On How To Use International English

• 3 Types Of International Communication
• Why You Need To Internationalize Your Own Communication First To Avoid Cultural Blunders
• Adapt Your Own Communication For International Business Success Like The Professionals
• Easy Guidelines For Writing International English

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Frequently Asked Questions

International English, also referred to as Global English, is simply English communication that is easier for non-native English speakers and a global audience.

Imagine meeting a non-native English speaking person in person.  Now imagine you have something you want to tell him or explain to him.  You would not speak to him as you would your colleague at work. You would naturally adjust your communication so that he could follow your conversation easily.

International English makes it easy for non-native English speakers to understand you.

To communicate well with a broad international audience, you need to eliminate:

• Culturally specific language and terminology
• Uncommon language and terminology
• Unusual grammar structures
• Long sentences
• Any inconsistencies
• All ambiguity

There are two reasons why you should consider writing content in international English.

• To appeal to one broad international audience including both native English and non-native English speakers.
• To facilitate translations in global expansion.

A Broad International Audience

Companies choose international English as a stepping stone towards further country specific target marketing.  This gives them the time to:

• Gain international market intelligence
• Evaluate foreign expansion opportunities
• Create a plan for website localization adapted to their needs
• Establish viability for the investment in website localization

Base For Translations

When your content has been written in an international English, it is easier and faster to translate.  There are two distinct advantages:

• Reduces the risk of cultural translation errors
• Can save you a substantial amount of money on translations

Remember: if you are committed to international business development, the trend is towards an increased number of languages.

• 5 languages used to be acceptable prior to the web.
• 10 languages was considered a good offering a short while ago.
• Today, it is common to find companies offering content in more than 20 languages.

Yes.  And the degree in which you use International English can be a strategic international marketing decision.

Generally, the better your English communication, the more your international audience will understand you.

There are two points you should also take into account:

• A very well written text in English will usually be fairly easy for an international audience to read.  But there may still be culturally specific language that may not be easy to understand for a  broad international audience.
• Generally a text in International English that is optimized for easy translation, will follow similar guidelines.  There are a few other elements that are important for easy translation, for example, punctuation.

If you are writing for an international website, the choice is obvious.  You should write for a broad international audience and favor International English.

If you are writing for both your domestic audience and an international audience, you can:

• Improve your English for optimum understanding in both audiences.
• Implement online web strategies to stop pushing your international visitors away.
• Research your international market potential to evaluate the feasibility of creating an international website and possible specific country targeted websites.

Spelling is a fairly easy decision.  It does not really matter whether you choose American English or British English to use as your base for your International English.

First think about your international audience.

If you are not an American company and have a large European audience, or a large audience from former British colonies, British spelling is a logical choice.

Then, choose either American spelling or British spelling and stick with it.

But, remember, British and American grammar differ too.

And this is where you need to think a little bit more strategically.

If you are going to use your International English as a base for translation, you should incorporate easy practices for translation into different languages.

These different languages also have different grammar rules and a simplified use of grammar will help both translation and general understanding.

We will be covering some guidelines for grammar soon.  For now, have a look at the Easy Guidelines For Writing International English below.

More On How To Use International English

The 3 Types Of International Communication For International Business Success Online • Do you want to develop your international business primarily through your website? • Do you know the different types of international communication? • Do you want to use the right communication for your international success? Learn when you need to use international English, multicultural communication and cross-cultural communication for more international sales

Why You Need To Internationalize Your Own Communication First To Avoid Cultural Blunders • Is your international communication blunder-free? • Would you like to improve your communication with internatinal clients? • What can you do to limit the cultural blunders drastically?

Adapt Your Own Communication For International Business Success Like The Professionals • How can you learn to communicate more effectively across cultures? • Do you need to adjust your communication for your international clients? • How do international sales professionals learn to communication with their foreign clients?

Easy Guidelines For Writing International English • Do you need to write for a broad international audience? • Do you know how to adapt your English for stronger international appeal? • Would you like a few easy tips?

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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.

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Need instructions?

• Instructions on how to use Your International Sales Road Map

Need to see where this fits in?

• A complete list of current Core Business Guides & Sub Guides for Your International Sales Road Map.

Still confused? Review your answers in the first Core Business Guide

• Core Business Guide 1 - Discover Your International Business

Simply click on one of the 8 different color coded boxes immediately below to access other core business guides.

Easy Guidelines For Writing International English

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.

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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.