On the computer, with terabytes of storage space and an unlimited number of pages available, it’s easy to write, write, and write some more.  But, who reads all of these extra words?  Will they be understood in another language or culture?  And, who is going to pay to have all of these words translated for your website?

When writing text for your website, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Be very clear and concise.  Plain English without idioms, slang, acronyms, and local flavors will be the easiest to translate.  While kind of boring, it will be the most understandable by those reading the translated language.  Also, translation is charged “per word”.  So, having fewer words to translate will keep the costs down.
   
• Use bullet points and short phrases.  Most people just scan as they “read” web pages.  They pick up the high points and think they know the rest.  Using long paragraphs is a turn-off.
   
• Watch acronyms.  Each industry has their own acronyms.  An employee handbook might talk about OSHA.  Our business targets B2B companies.  We are a member of the ATA.  The more acronyms you use, the more confusing it’s going to be to translate and understand.  Keep everything simple and spelled out when possible.  If you do use acronyms, define them at the beginning so the reader has a point of reference.
   
• Keep text out of graphics.  If all of the text is in a database or HTML page, it’s easier to translate, edit and format into another language.  Otherwise, we have to edit the artwork files which is an additional cost.
   
• Measurements & Money.  If your intended audience lives in the United States, then talking about “inches” and “dollars” is okay for all languages.  People living here will understand.  But keep in mind that if your website is being translated for use in another country, then measurements will need to be converted to metric and the currency changed to match the intended country.
   
• Culture.  Each culture is different with their own values, beliefs, and customs.  If you are planning to have your website translated into other languages, it’s best to stay with the facts and keep everything very plain.  The only exception is if you are specifically targeting and rewriting your text to focus on a unique culture.  Then, it's okay.

While it’s easy to just say “translate my current website”, those are some things to keep in mind when writing or editing your website for translation.  The ultimate goal is for your translated website to sound like it was written specifically for your intended audience and not feel like it was translated.

When your text is ready to be translated into another language, please contact us  for more information.