The Top 10 Thoughts on Writing for an International Readership

Originally Submitted on 1/24/99.

When I came to the United States after being raised in England I quickly discovered that the joke that they are "two countries divided by a single language" has strong elements of truth to it. How much more difficult can communication be between cultures that do not have a common source or common language? Since September 1997 my experience of writing an e-zine that now reaches more than forty countries has taught me to be extremely careful in how I express my ideas. These thoughts may be useful to e-zine writers and others who communicate across national and cultural boundaries.

1. Keep it supremely simple.

Many people read English language e-zines and other publications as a way to polish their use and understanding of the language. If you need to use unusual words, do so in a context that will make their meaning clear. A great vocabulary needs to be an aid to clear communication, not a barrier to it.

2. Avoid idioms and slang.

These change their meaning from one culture to another, sometimes with quite offensive (though occasionally hilarious) results.

3. The correspondence between weather and the calendar differs across the globe.

When referring to a time of cold weather, write WINTER, not DECEMBER. An example: in the southern hemisphere, where December is part of the warm season, some Australian families celebrate their Christmas dinner as an outdoor picnic, and a white Christmas is pure fantasy.

4. Even though the calendar that starts from the birth of Jesus Christ is internationally used and recognized, it is far from the only calendar there is, and its religious basis is offensive to some people.

There are many other calendars, mostly associated with specific religions, and awareness of this enables one to acknowledge events of major significance wherever they may occur.

5. The nationally recognized holidays of any country are often just that, nationally recognized. Also, a holiday of celebration in one country may be a time of loss in another.

Very few holidays are internationally recognized. How many national holidays of other countries do you know? Should we expect readers to recognize ours if we are not aware of theirs? Should we expect that what is cause for celebration in one country should be a time of celebration for all countries? Not so. And remember that Christmas is not unversally celebrated, in any country.

6. Avoid being overly informal.

In contacts with subscribers, clients, and customers, recognize that use of first names to people you do not know is socially unacceptable, even insulting, in many cultures.

7. If you use references to people well-known in your culture add some explanation of why they are relevant.

While the scandals of national presidents are probably familiar world-wide, the name of a sports player or entertainer famous in your country may mean nothing to readers elsewhere.

8. A similar principle applies to geography.

Most people know where major cities are. However, if you refer to a lesser known area, add enough description to show where it is and why it is relevant to the point you are making.

9. To too pointedly acknowledge that some readers may not know what you mean may sound condescending. To assume that they do know is to appear insensitive.

Best balance is to include a few words that clarify your meaning without being too obvious about it.

10. As you work, write from your heart, proofread with your mind, and in your thoughts keep an image of the many and diverse peoples who inhabit our fragile, wonderful planet.

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