12/02/2024
6 TIPS FOR WRITING TRANSLATION-FRIENDLY CONTENT 👇
1. Write to your audience
How a text should be written depends on who it’s meant for. After all, there’s a difference between writing to a technician, a solicitor or other professionals who often use a lot of technical jargon on the one hand and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who just want their information in plain English.
2. Write in short sentences
Many writers tend to write excessively long and verbose sentences filled with redundant words that seem to go on forever – such as this one. To make your content more translation-friendly, one of the best ways is to keep your sentences short. A great rule of thumb is that you should stick to one idea per sentence.
3. Use terms consistently
Synonyms can make a text less readable, which is why you should use the same terms and formulations consistently throughout your text if you want to keep it translation-friendly.
4. Eliminate any ambiguity
Texts that use passive voice a lot often contain ambiguities that result in misinterpretations. Instead, use active voice to eliminate any doubt about who’s (supposed to be) doing what.
For example, write “enter the customer’s details in the system” instead of “the customer’s details must be entered in the system”.
5. Avoid sayings and idioms
Translating sayings and idioms into other languages can be extremely challenging. A popular saying in one language may have no equivalent in another, or it might mean something slightly different when translated.
6. Proofread your text
By proofreading your text, you can clear it of basic errors such as typos, missing words, etc., that may serve as distractions to readers. Reading your text out loud to yourself is also a good way of determining whether it has a good flow.
Get the full explanation and more specific suggestions in the article here:
Find out how the written content you send out for translation can impact the quality of the translated text.
