While there are hundreds of languages in the world, there’s no doubt that English continues to be the most common medium for international communication. If you want to get a great piece of written work to as many people as possible, chances are you’ll have to translate it into English to reach the widest possible audience.
When translating into English for an international crowd, it pays to bear in mind that your piece will be read by non-native speakers, many of whom may not understand the nuances that someone well-versed in it may take for granted. Whether you use a language translation software to generate a first draft or write it out manually, keeping a few simple things in mind can help make your version the valuable piece of work it deserves to be.
Write Clearly
More than having spotless grammar and a vocabulary that will make your high school English teacher blush, your writing needs to be clear. Drill down words, phrases and ideas to the their simplest form to allow everyone to get a good grasp of the text. Use basic constructions to avoid confusing readers. Always ask yourself if there is a way to make each sentence clearer. If the answer is “yes,” don’t hesitate to change it.
Cultural Differences
If you’re hoping that your piece will be read by a large number of people, it pays to take into account that many of them will have widely different beliefs, behaviors and practices compared to you. As such, avoid generalizations – nothing can turn a readers faster than writers who make assumptions about a culture they clearly know little about.