Americans Need International English Too

Internationalize Your English

European companies were the first to question the English they use for international audiences.

When Choice Is Forced On You

I have previously written about a large Swiss company formed through a merger of 3 different companies, using both American and British English and how they were looking for elusive instructions on how to write International English.

Many Europeans feel they need to follow British spelling when writing in English.  The problem is that the differences in the English used in different countries go far beyond spelling.

The Challenges For International Professionals

International professionals have to adapt to a wide variety of different ways to speak English. Non-native English speakers have even more challenges.  And British English can be particularly difficult for a non-native English speaker.  One of the difficulties is the way the English use the word “should” when there is no conditional involved.

Yes, I know, to be exact I should say “English English”.  There is also Scottish English, Welsh English, Irish English.  Let’s just say it is about the spelling for simplicity.

Some International Brits Use American Spelling

The choice of which English to use is not only about facilitating communication with non-native English speakers. It is also about:

• Markets
• Where you sell your products and services
• Who needs to read your sales and marketing materials

Did you know that some international British companies choose to use American spelling in their sales and marketing materials?

When you think about it, it makes sense!

The business decision is an easy one when you want to reach American clients and sell products if your clients would be confused with British English.

Is American Spelling Best For All International Audiences?

You might think that the obvious choice is to adapt American English for international markets.

This is often the best choice in the markets I work in where web marketing and American software is predominant.  In some cases where you have a broad international audience American spelling can be an easy option.

The trouble for American companies is that they are in a very independent culture.  They always think they are right.  It is easy to assume that an American spelling means that their content is easy for non-native English speakers to understand.

What happens when American spelling implies a much stronger direct approach and you want to nurture relationships in a culture where this strong direct approach is inappropiate?  What if British spelling is taught locally?

There are times when a British spelling might be a better choice.

Adopting International English

There may be no official or easy to follow guidelines for International English…

…and as I am writing this I can easily imagine an over confident American, who has spent a few years here and there, sit down to write them up and proclaim he has a universal standard…

…but it is not about the spelling.  Whether you use British spelling or American spelling is not very important.

What is important is:

• Clarity and consistency in how you write
• Keeping it simple for everyone to understand
• The words you use
• How well you explain yourself
• The culture you convey

In addition to these good writing practices, there are also elements of good cross-cultural communication best practices that also apply to written communication.

There are two different ways to spell certain words in English: British English and American English.  But when you look at the English language from a global perspective, there are endless ways of using the English language.

International English is not a new language. It is what happens when different cultures come together and communicate in English, in a way that is easiest to understand for everyone.

This is why, even if the American spelling may seem to dominate certain international markets, American companies should consider the need to use International English for better communication with their international audiences.

• Do you know of any companies using International English?
• Do you know of any companies that could benefit from using International English to reach wider international audiences?
• When do you think companies should use International English?

More on Internationalizing Your English:

• A Multicultural Writer Gets More International Readers?
• Adjust Your Own English Communication To Meet Other Language Levels
• Culture-Free Communication
• Customize Your Content For Different Cultures
• English For International Appeal
• Focus On Your Cultural Communication
• Global English To Avoid Miscommunication
• International English For Better Communication With Global Audiences
• Internationalize Your Own Communication
• Is International English In Your Future?
• Translation Friendly International English
• What Flavor Is Your English?
• What Is International English?
• Where To Learn How To Write International Or Global English

What you need to know about International English:

• International English Guidelines
  

More in these Get International Clients Business Guides

• International English
• Culture Customized Content

Tagged as: american english, british english, communication, content marketing, copywriting, cross cultural marketing, Cross-Cultural Communication, english, global english, International Business, International Content Marketing, international copywriting, International English, marketing, multicultural marketing, standard english