How to Write for a Global Audience

In today's world, technical documentation must be designed for multiple audiences - both the users who read the text in translation, and those for whom English is a second language. By using Controlled English and authoring with an eye to translation, companies can make the entire process of product globalization faster, cheaper and less prone to errors.

This audio conference provides some basic guidelines on how to write for a global audience, enabling attendees to reduce the cost and improve the quality of translations, improve training and customer support, and protect their companies from litigation under the "failure to warn" principle.

How to Write for a Global Audience was presented by John Smart, President, with SMART Communications. For more details, or to purchase a download of this event, please visit our site at www.fxconferences.com

Using International English for Better, More Cost-Effective Translations

Doing business on a global scale often means making websites, product materials and other content available to international audiences in their own language. Translation can be a slow and expensive process, especially when taking into account cultural differences that can distort the meaning behind your words. There also can be significant delays and added expense if content is changed during or after translation.

One way to streamline the translation process is through better authoring of source content.. While some have heralded Plain English as the solution, it is not sufficient for some readers, nor is it sufficient for machine translation. This audio conference discusses another option -- international English -- and how it improves clarity for all readers, particularly those who do not read English as a first language. The presentation also highlights how international English gives good results with machine translation, while reducing the costs associated with human translation.

Using International English for Better, More Cost-Effective Translations is being presented by Dr. Mike Unwalla, Principal, with TechScribe and airs on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. For more details or to register for this conference, please visit our site at www.fxconferences.com

Writing for Translation: The 1% Solution

Why should you learn how to use Controlled English? Increasingly, documentation must be designed for two distinct but related types of audiences—-those reading the text in translation, and those for whom English is a second language.

While many businesses still have their documentation translated, English is quickly becoming the standard of our global village. But English is a complex language to read, write, and understand. Using Controlled English makes documents easier for non-native English speakers to understand, and the more consistent, less ambiguous language also makes for less expensive translations. It is critical that technical documentation and training manuals clearly convey meaning in fields with complex products and liability issues.

This audio conference explains how 1% of the English language is sufficient to communicate with customers in 181 countries. It will also cover the steps to implement Controlled English and its pitfalls and benefits for the translation of technical documentation.

Writing for Translation: The 1% Solution was presented by John Smart, SMART Communications, on 2005-06-21 and is now available for download. For more details or to purchase a recording, please visit our site www.fxconferences.com