How to write a white paper for translation

by Gordon Graham, Editor, SoftwareCEO
 

Do you need to write a white paper—or anything else—to be circulated in different languages?

Then it's important to write properly for translation.

Following a few simple tips will make your text easier for translators to work with.

She's the founder of Global'ease, a company that specializes in training business people to adapt to other cultures.

Her booklet is a handy 20 pages full of tips on using international English that everyone can understand.

Here's a sampling of the great tips it contains, used with her permission, plus a couple more we've picked up over the years.

♦ Writing for translation tip #1:
Avoid vague adjectives

"Adjectives such as 'long,' 'quick,' 'large,' 'expensive,' etc. have different meanings for different people," says Kleinschmit.

"A 'long-term project' can mean anything from a six-month project to a 30-year project."

In fact, this applies to anyone doing business anywhere. Have you ever asked a developer how long something will take to code?

In any language, it's better to get down to specifics.

♦ Writing for translation tip #2:
Avoid local references

"Most people in the world have no idea how baseball is played.

"Therefore, any references inspired by the sport such as, 'He struck out' or 'Give me a ballpark figure' will only serve to confuse," she says.

Local references are any allusions to things that are not known in other countries, including people, places, activities, food and holidays.

Don't assume your audience will know what you mean when you touch on any of these.

♦ Writing for translation tip #3:
Avoid idioms

By the same token, avoid colorful idioms or metaphors that we take for granted in North America.

On the other hand, if your translator tries to find another metaphor, they may miss the bull's eye... or even turn over the apple cart.

And then your carefully written white paper may be up the creek without a paddle. ;-)

♦ Writing for translation tip #4:
Avoid contractions

In English, contractions like "don't" and "we'll" make sentences sound more conversational.

But for translators, these are nothing but trouble. They hide letters, mask tenses and boost uncertainty.

It's better to avoid contractions altogether when writing for translation.

♦ Writing for translation tip #5:
Use short sentences

Use shorter, simpler sentences than you would if you were writing for native speakers. These are easier for everyone to understand.

A long, complex, round-about, run-on sentence with multiple noun phrases all piled up on top of one another; well, you can already start to see how these could be tougher to translate, can't you?

♦ Writing for translation tip #6:
Don't worry about losing "style"

Some native speakers question the need to "simplify" our language. They feel we lose the richness of natural English by writing for translation.

"It is true that a certain amount of style is sacrificed when we use the Borderless English approach, instead of our standard English," says Kleinschmit.

"The expression 'that wraps up our meeting' sounds more dynamic than 'the meeting is finished.'

"Speaking Borderless English is not easy, not natural and can appear dull... but it does help improve communication."

And writing in international English shows our willingness to bridge the cultural gaps that could cause our words to be misunderstood, misinterpreted and mistranslated.

To request your own copy of the complete booklet, e-mail nathalie@global-ease.com. If you want a copy for each of your people who travel, she can arrange a bulk buy.

Copyright © Computing Technology Industry Association, Inc. Reprinted with permission.