Cindy King's International Business Blog » english

International English For Better Communication With Global Audiences

Cindy King — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:53 +0000

Yesterday I mentioned the current trend towards International English in white papers. Susan Oakes asked whether International English was American or British language. And I thought this merited a longer reply here.

First, let’s have a look at this video:

Allyson Stewart-Allen On Working The Differences Between British & Americans: Business Etiquette

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British & American English Have More Differences Than Just Spelling

As you can see from this video, when you live and work in both of these countries, you usually notice the cultural differences between British English and American English. These cultural differences go beyond different spelling. In many cases you need explanations, or interpretations and even a British-American dictionary to explain both:

Country specific vocabulary
Different meanings for the same word

In addition, there are a series of cultural differences in how British people use their language and how the Americans use theirs. Even if both languages are called English there is a learning curve to go through to become fluent in the communication used on both sides of the Atlantic.

For native English speakers this learning curve is not usually a big deal. There are few areas where mistakes in interpretations can have serious consequences.

But for non-native English speakers who learn English one way, these cultural specificities add on another layer of difficulty and are not easy to translate into other languages. In some cases, these extra difficulties can have serious consequences. For example, when complicated machinery or health issues are involved any possible misinterpretation can have serious consequences.

The problem is that these misinterpretations increase with the use of culture specific English:

Whether it is American English for people who studied British English,
Or British English for people who studied American English as a foreign language.

Why Are Businesses Moving Towards International English?

Website globalization does seem to be a big factor behind the trend. Here are three reasons why:

Global Website Templates. Businesses are having their website translated into more and more languages. The number of languages available on websites is steadily increasing. This brings the need for website templates to make multiple translations easy. And multiple translations mean that you need to start off with text that is easy to translate into multiple languages. If you do not “clean up” your English before sending it for multiple translations you will have:

Translations which say different things in the different languages
Increased translation costs

To avoid this the original text in English is made very easy to understand for non-native English speakers. The grammar is amended to get rid of any possible misinterpretation during translation. Some people use the term “Global English”. This process usually also improves the original text in clarity and consistency.

Wider Audiences. Globalization also brings English speakers with different cultural backgrounds, and different ways of speaking English. Companies also feel the obligation to improve their English for these wider audiences. This is what is happening with white papers. And even if British English is the official version for the EEC, many large companies are choosing American spelling and an internationalized English. This is simply because that is the best way to communicate with their global markets.

Politically Correct. One translator who works for a large Swiss multinational company, told me that the company directives to implement International English was initiated to avoid favoring one way of speaking over another within an international environment. This might be a sign in global awareness for being polite to all English speakers.

Should You Use British Or American Spelling?

The spelling really does not matter as internationalization your English is about improving the understanding of your content across a wide number of different cultures.

You can choose either British or American spelling. Most businesses choose to use the spelling that is easiest for their biggest, or most important, client base. But any decision process that makes sense works well.

I think that the choice of spelling used to have more of a political reason before. Companies in Europe or in former British colonies used to always opt for British English. But now with website globalization and widespread American English software it is often easier to consider American English.

International English is more about taking out the cultural quirks that make it difficult for other cultures to understand. I always think of it as aseptically treating the content. When you navigate between cultures non-stop and actively seek to connect with people (some people don’t try), your language changes naturally over time. You learn what to avoid and what to say and how to say things to make it easier for a wide audience to understand.

Where Can You Find International English Guidelines?

This is a problem. I have not found a good set of guidelines. And I believe this is because we are in the middle of this movement and there are different players. There are:

British English evangelists and American English evangelists.
People who only see the need for Global English with translations in mind and others who only want to communicate with as many people as possible.

You can find guidelines written by a few people in these different groups, written from their particular viewpoint. All of these groups of people would benefit from taking a more global understanding of the issues at hand.

This is why I like to look at the non-native English professionals who do not have any guidelines to follow. They need to be understood in today’s world, so they simply jump in, and learn what works and what does not work.

The main reason why people adopt International English is to improve communication across a wider international audience. There are no definitive rules and guidelines for International English currently available. This is an area where you need to apply a good dose of common sense and flexibility. An international background does help too. You can find a link to the guidelines I use below. Keep in mind that you will need to adapt these guidelines to your business.

Are your marketing materials for one specific culture, or an international audience?
How do you decide whether you need British or American spelling to reach an international audience?
When would you think of using International English for your website and marketing materials?

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

More in these Get International Clients Business Guides

Copyright Cindy King 2006-2010 - International Business Blog

International English For Better Communication With Global Audiences

Americans Need International English Too

Cindy King — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:00:48 +0000

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?

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Is International English In Your Future?

Cindy King — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:00:03 +0000

Internationalize Your English

Last week I had a very interesting conversation with an American translator in Switzerland. He called to ask me for guidelines on who to write “International English“. One of his major clients had asked their team of translators to now write in “International English”. Apparently 3 different Swiss companies had merged:

2 traditionally used British English for all English translations
1 traditionally used American English for all English translations

This American translator said that most of the other translators were British and no one had specific guidelines on how to write “International English”.

I wonder how common this dilemma is today.

When American English Trumps British English In Europe

Companies all over the world use English for their communication. There is an interesting phenomenon in Europe with regards to the use of the English language. British English is the official English within the European union. But outside of Brussels, there are times when British English just does not make good business sense compared to American English. It is fairly common for European businesses to choose American English.

It is interesting to note that in France, the English language teachers in the French schools are instructed to teach English with the Queens English language accent. These directives come with the phonetic sounds for this particular accent.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve cringed at listening to my daughters school friends trying to imitate this “posh” English accent with their own heavy French accent. Doesn’t anyone realize how ludicrous this sounds to the vast majority of native English speakers? Including the average British person. And the French wonder why they are so bad at languages. It’s normal to stop trying to speak a language when you appear so funny.

The reason why many European businesses use American English is because it makes better business sense. The reasons are multiple and I will get into that in a minute.

I remember actually noticing a few international British companies using American English a couple of years ago.

The Political Debate

But first, you have to realize that a European company’s choice to use American English opens a more political debate. Some cultures are more prone to a political debate on this subject than others.

And when you have any British element involved this debate can get quite complicated.

Making The Choice

What about the readers of these English language materials?

It appears that when companies base their decision on their readers, it is a fairly easy business decision to make. There are several criteria you can base your decision on:

either overall readership majority – who are you speaking to
or your highest region for profit – where is your money coming from
or your primary target market – who do you want to reach

This can help you decide whether to use American English or British English.

An International Readership

But is it so easy?

Today another factor that comes into play. Who is really reading your materials?

European companies translating their materials into English, usually also distribute these materials to readers outside of the UK and the US. In fact, for most companies this readership is probably greater outside of the UK and the US.

When people communicate on an international level, with multiple cultures, something happens. Whether you use British English or American English, you adapt your language so that the majority of your international audience understands you… easily.

This happens naturally over time and with experience. You learn which words or expressions always lead to confusion and which words everyone understands.

One obvious example is the word “should” when used by a Brit. In my experience, a Brit does not often use the word “should” to express a conditional verb form. It is more often a form of British politeness. Remember, Britain has a history based on a class society.

Miscommunication arises very easily here, simply because just about every non-native English speaker will translate “should” as part of a conditional verb form. It does not enter their minds that this might be a polite way of telling someone to do something. The only message that comes across is a conditional suggestion to do something. So if this person is busy or has other interests, this statement is quickly put aside.

And yet “should” is used often enough in good British English.

People that communicate with a wide international audience almost always adapt their English to an “International English”, easily understood and spoken by non-native English speakers.

In addition to communicating to international audiences, there is another movement.

In some industries online communication plays an important role. It only takes a quick glance to see that web communication is predominantly in American English.

Clarity For A Global Environment

Web communication is also leading the trend to simplifying English even further:

For clarity of communication
To make it easier, quicker and more cost effective for multiple translations

With regards to English for web communication, this book gives a very good description of English:

The Global English Style Guide – Writing clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Market – by John R. Kohl

But there are no definitive guidelines on what International English is exactly, when a business should use it and how to use it. The reason is simple.

On The Road To International English

There is a movement towards an “International English. But we are right in the middle of it. It is still changing.

In Europe, the British English enthusiasts are still very active and this creates tension in companies where the real world business environment demands not only an American spelling, but also an International English to communicate well within this global world we now live in.

I am also expecting a pull towards International English from the non-native English speakers. And perhaps this is where the real guidelines will emerge.

Last year, I remember reading blogs written by non-native English speakers which had comments on them left by native English speakers lamenting the non-native English speakers language skills. Some of those comments were embarrassing to read as a native English speaker.

This year I have not noticed any such comments.

Non-native English speakers use English to communicate with larger audiences. As their online presence become more established, and more authoritative, the English language purists will not be as loud… and an International English style will become more wide-spread online.

…probably with American spelling if only due to the shear volume of American language software.

An Even Simpler Choice

As this movement continues, businesses will have a much simpler choice. Most of today’s political debate will fall to the side.

Oh, I am sure a new one will pop up: to save endangered languages.

As the need for global businesses to embrace International English becomes inevitable, there will really only be a simple choice of spelling. International English is more about your

Clarity of expression
Choice of words
Choice of punctuation
Simple grammar
The ease of understanding

American or British spelling, you still need to communicate effectively with your readers.

What To Do Now

If your readers are from many different countries, improve communication with them now. In order to find out what you say that confuses them, or is difficult for them to understand, you need to create a dialog… and then you need to listen and make an effort to improve your communication.

No one can claim to have the ultimate “International English” guidelines today. There is still too much movement.

This reminds me of when people stopped using the hyphen in words like “co-operation”, or when businesses started using the simplified left justification, instead of indenting paragraphs, when writing letters.

Except the movement towards International English is a bit more complicated, more widespread and is taking longer.

Languages have always morphed and changed with the current times. It is interesting watching “International English” evolve across the world.

Although there are no ultimate guidelines for “International English” today, we can use good business practices of listening and trying to improve our communication with the people we interact with. This leads to better cross-cultural communication.

Even the current social media trend has the same outlook towards communicating with others. It reinforces the need to improve our overall communication with all of our audiences.

This process towards better communication is the natural path towards an International English.

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Where To Learn To Write International Or Global English

Cindy King — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:00:07 +0000

Internationalize Your English

Recently a translator asked how to write in International English. A client of his specifically requested International English content. And he asked whether American English or British English was considered International English.

To understand how to choose either American English or British English have a look at this recent article on Get International Clients.

In either case, whether you start with American English or British English, the first step is to take out all culturally specific references. Cultural references that can only be understand by people with a similar cultural background to the writer.

But International English is a bit more than that. There is also a question of how you use English grammar.

Reasons For International English

First you need to understand why you need International English.

There are a few reasons why businesses like to have content written in International or Global English:

To reach a broad international market
To communicate more effectively with non-native English speakers
To prepare for easy translations, multilingual websites

You also need to consider the document itself. Is it a technical document, or sales and marketing materials?

Where To Read More

I recommend two books if you would like to learn how to write International English.

The Global English Style Guide

Do you need to:

Write in International English?
Want to make the text you write easy, fast and cheaper to translation?

Then this is the book for you…

The Global English Style Guide – Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Marketplace, by John R. Kohl.

This book provides all the information you need on what to write and how to write it. It gives easy to follow examples. Yes, it is written by a grammar expert. But you do not need to be one to follow this book.

There are many “rules” in this book to write International English. Don’t be daunted though. It is so well explained that it is a quick read and an easy to use reference book.

The Elements Of International English Style

Another good reference book is:

The Elements Of International English Style – A guide to writing correspondence, reports, techical documents, internet pages for a global audience, by Edmond H. Weiss.

This book is more business oriented. It gives specific guidelines for different business documents. For example, it tells you how to make an agenda for a meeting easier to read for international audiences.

It also gives many comparisons between British and American English.

Both books complement each other and are a good place to start to learn how to write International English.

International Communication Skills

But there is also another element to writing International English.

You must not forget to include international communication skills. And you can only acquire international communication skills through international exposure. These are the international communication skills you pick up through communicating with different cultures.

You need to have basic international communication skills to implement the written techniques outlined in these two books for best results.

When you write technical content for translation, good international communication skills may not be of primary importance. These skills will improve your technical writing.

But…

Do you want to write web content or sales and marketing materials and want to also make this content translation-friendly?

Then good international communication skills are just as critical as implementing the International English language skills.

You see, these international communication skill:

Add in a layer of international politeness
Take away any abrasiveness
Make your content more appealing

The first step in creating international content is to strip off all cultural-specificity. A writer with international communication skills puts a little bit of flavor back into your content. To appeal to a broad international audience.

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Global English To Avoid Miscommunication

Cindy King — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:09 +0000

Internationalize Your English

The widespread use of English in international business makes it easy to assume writing your content in English is enough. All you need is to simply avoid slang and culturally specific English language phrases and vocabulary.

But it is not always that simple. Miscommunication can still loom. And through no fault of your own.

First ask yourself these questions:

Do you have a large number of non-native English speakers who read your English content?
Will you need to translate your English language content into several languages?

If you answer yes to either or both of these questions, then you need to take a closer look at your own communication. This will help you avoid miscommunication.

There are two main reasons for the new trends in writing Global English or International English.

1 – Make Communication Easy

The rise in proportion of non-native English speakers online presents a unique perspective.

If you want to communicate well across non-native English speaking cultures, you need to adjust your communication.

2 – Make Translation Easy

An international company today often needs a website in over a dozen languages. In fact, international companies usually have content in well over 20 languages. And this number is increasing every year.

When you invest in multiple translations you will greatly appreciate starting with the right source text.

Your source text is easier to translate
The various translations will be more representative of your original text.

Another Perspective On Avoiding Miscommunication

During the recent Olympics in China examples of translation errors were widely available online. Most were comical, some portrayed bad translation skills or the bad use of translation tools.

In international business you have a choice to make:

Will you or will you not take a step towards other cultures?

And will you do this with your own communication?

Will you communicate as you do at home?
Or will you make an effort to adapt your communication for everyone?

You see, if you really want to connect with different cultures, and especially with non-native English speakers, you need to turn towards them.

You need to be open to other cultures.
You need to adjust your communication…and your English.

When you adjust your English communication, your English becomes what is referred to as International English, or Global English. It is English that is very easy to understand for different cultures.

International English or Global English is also a great source base for translations.

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Focus On Your Cultural Communication

Cindy King — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:30:41 +0000

Internationalize Your English

A question came up the other day that got me thinking. Follow me through…

Here is the first question:

Is it responsible of a company to send someone who only speaks English to conduct sensitive business discussions with people who do not speak English well?

Well first, to answer this question…

If the person did not have any international exposure, then, yes, the company is irresponsible.

Besides changing people on one side or the other, the company had another option…

The company could have used a tactic used often enough between Western cultures and Middle-Eastern cultures: Hire a third party to act as a cultural interpreter.

International Communication Online

But this question got me thinking about the websites I encounter online. And the desperate solopreneurs or very small businesses that contact me frantically looking for a miracle to get them international clients.

Business is based on relationships. Even if you don’t think the relationship aspect is significant for your current business, it is very important in international business.

Remember, prior to the web, companies always assumed they needed face-to-face meetings with international clients in order to develop an international business. And this is still a general principle held by many people.

You Still Need Relationships

Email marketing, global websites and even outsourced call centers can lead the younger generation, or the businesses wrapped up in saving money, to forget that you still need to cultivate relationships with real people to develop a thriving international business.

Of course, if you have a good offer and good online visibility you can make international sales.

Back to this question again…

…but with a twist.

Is it responsible for a company to send out English communication, to market their wares and sell their products to countries, with different cultures who do not speak English well?

That’s fairly easy to answer…

Irresponsible maybe. Foolish yes. Income lost? For sure.

Another twist…

Is it responsible for a company to send out English communication, to market their wares and sell their products, to countries with different cultures?

Well, this is where a little common sense comes in handy. And this question brings up a series of other questions.

Is this company really interested in getting international business?
Does this company understand the basics of good international communication?
Does this company have a measurement system in place to see where it needs to improve communication?

International business today is cheaper than before thanks to international web marketing. But you still need to put in the time and effort to create the relationships.

Relationships start with your communication. Get it right. Be polite…to your foreign readers.

Even if you are on a tight budget you can adjust your communication for the people you are targeting.

You can even learn to do this yourself, just as people did prior to internet with face-to-face meeting.

Start off slowly.
Make connections, real connections with your prospects in one specific country.
Build the relationship slowly.
Learn how to communicate well.

There was something else I heard early this week…

Most people today don’t want to learn to fish…they just want you to give them the fish.

Building international relationships and getting your communication right for your international markets is work. And it is work you need to learn how to do yourself.

Need a method? A step-by-step action plan to help you get started?

Read the 8 step International Sales Road Map on Get International Clients.
Sign up for the action guide with the Get International Clients newsletter.

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Culture-Free Communication

Cindy King — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:00:33 +0000

Internationalize Your English

When writing in English for a broad international audience there are a few strategic decisions you need to make. One of them is whether you want to use culture-free communication.

…or not.

First, let’s have a look at what culturally-specific communication is.

Culturally-Specific Communication

Most people speak like everyone else around them. When we grow up, live, go to school, and work in the same place, we acquire a specific way of using the English language. And we speak with culturally-specific words and expressions.

So…

What happens when you speak to someone else who also lives in an enclosed environment a couple of hundred kilometers…in the same country? Well, he will understand you. But…

Will he use the same words and expressions as you do?

And what happens if this person lives a thousand kilometers away…still in the same country?

You can usually identify where people are from by the different words and expressions they use.

…when they speak in your own language.

Take Away The Confusion

The problem is that when you are a non-native English speaker, these different words and expressions can be confusing.

On this blog, you often read about clarity. It is important for good cross-cultural communication.

You must avoid this confusion for good communication with a broad international audience.

Remember, there are more non-native English readers online than native-English speakers.

A website in English can give you global visibility. English is today’s lingua franca after all.

…But do you want your readers to find your English confusing?

Culture-Free English

This is why you should evaluate your website for culturally-specific communication.

And culturally-specific communication goes beyond language. It is also any use of color, numbers, graphics, photos, what is in the photos, audio and any other content.

In culture-free English you take away any culturally-specific element.

The English communication is edited and re-edited to take away its specific cultural flavor.

Not Always The Right Solution

Culture-free English is not always the best option. In many cases, it is a balancing act.

For global companies, yes, of course, culture-free English can be the best thing to do. It provides a good base both for translations, and also to create more culturally-targeted content for different foreign markets.

For other companies, it is can also be a good idea to leave a little cultural flavor in there.

A small company, with a strong cultural identity or brand, may not be able to shed all of its culturally-specific communication without losing a part of its own identity.

You can write culture-free, or almost culture-free, English and still have a clear cultural identity. But language can be a very important element.

In these cases, you have a few options:

Not change anything, in which case you will probably limit your international development.
Look at smoothing some of the cultural specificity to make it easier on other cultures…and test.
Start a new international website, division, joint venture or partnership with a new communication style.

A Step Towards International English

This is part of the process to communicate with International English.

The next step is to make your communication appealing to a broad range of cultures.

…that’s for sometime soon.

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

What Is International English?

Cindy King — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:00:06 +0000

Internationalize Your English

English is today’s lingua franca. Just as Latin was in the Middle Ages. A large number of countries speak English. But the majority of the English speakers today come from non-native English speaking countries.

Just as there are many different English dialects within the native English speaking countries, there are also a variety of different English “dialects”, or speaking patterns or flavors, amongst non-native English speakers.

And…

There is also an unofficial International English that develops naturally when native English speakers mix with non-native English speakers.

Beyond Spanglish, Frenglish and Chinglish

In non-native English countries with a variety of ethnic groups, such as India or Malaysia, the English language takes on a specific local dialect.

But in Europe, businesses have evolved into what seems to be an International English. This International English cannot easily be associated with one specific country or culture.

This International English has evolved through the long history of international business in the region…

…with other European countries, and also with North Americans.

Picking Up An International English

Today, after a few years professional experience, European businessmen with international exposure usually pick up this International English without realizing it.

How does this happen?

Everyone has different language skill levels. These differences are greater in non-native English speakers.

Quite simply, if you want to communicate in an international environment, you need to speak to be understood. And over time, you also want to speak in a way that is easily understood by everyone.

So guess what happens…

Smaller Vocabulary

The vocabulary you use seems to get smaller and smaller.

In some ways this might seem like you are talking to a child. Your sentences get shorter.

But, it is not quite like talking to a child. There are some subtle differences. You actually learn to culture customize your English to your surroundings.

Easy Words For Everyone To Understand

As you become more familiar with cross-cultural communication, you learn which words to avoid because some non-native English speakers may not understand them immediate.

Some words slow down communication more than others.

So, you learn to use the words everyone usually understands. With experience you know the frustrations other cultures have with the English language.

As a copywriter I write with simple high-school level English.

For example, the verb “get” is simple enough.

But as a cross-cultural marketer I know how little verbs like “get” and “take” can slow down comprehension for many non-native English speakers. Only a very skilled English speaker understands these immediately: “get to”, “get from”, “get over”, “get under”, “get through”, “get by”, “get going”.

Explanations

You also learn to explain things more.

Simply making small changes in the structure of your sentences can make them easier to understand. Your communication becomes clear.

You learn to know when different cultures will have difficulties grasping certain concepts.

Again, simple explanations bring clarity to your communication.

So does the order in which you “explain” or “present” an idea, a proposal or a concept.

Clarity Throughout Your Communication

All of these small changes in your communication bring clarity for everyone around you.

The process of learning to speak with clarity happens naturally if you live in an environment of different English language skills.

And this happens naturally because if you do not adapt your communication this can lead to unnecessary time spent on correcting miscommunication.

Sensitivity To Different Cultures

And finally, with experience, you also learn how to speak in a polite way to different cultures.

This is the hardest part to learn.

Different cultures have different ways of being polite and expressing politeness. There are some differences in politeness within the native-English speaking countries. There are more differences in other cultures.

Global Communication

Look at the characteristics of International English above.

Do you have a website targeting a global market?
Is it in English?
How does your English match with International English?

Would you like an analysis of your website?

To see what you need to improve your communication with a wide international audience?

Drop me an email at cindy@cindyking.biz

What you need to know about International English:

International English Guidelines

Cindy King's International Business Blog » english

International English For Better Communication With Global Audiences

British & American English Have More Differences Than Just Spelling

Why Are Businesses Moving Towards International English?

Should You Use British Or American Spelling?

Where Can You Find International English Guidelines?

More on Internationalizing Your English:

What you need to know about International English:

More in these Get International Clients Business Guides

Americans Need International English Too

When Choice Is Forced On You

The Challenges For International Professionals

Some International Brits Use American Spelling

Is American Spelling Best For All International Audiences?

Adopting International English

More on Internationalizing Your English:

What you need to know about International English:

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Is International English In Your Future?

When American English Trumps British English In Europe

The Political Debate

Making The Choice

An International Readership

Clarity For A Global Environment

On The Road To International English

An Even Simpler Choice

What To Do Now

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Where To Learn To Write International Or Global English

Reasons For International English

Where To Read More

International Communication Skills

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Global English To Avoid Miscommunication

1 – Make Communication Easy

2 – Make Translation Easy

Another Perspective On Avoiding Miscommunication

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Focus On Your Cultural Communication

International Communication Online

You Still Need Relationships

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Culture-Free Communication

Culturally-Specific Communication

Take Away The Confusion

Culture-Free English

Not Always The Right Solution

A Step Towards International English

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What Is International English?

Beyond Spanglish, Frenglish and Chinglish

Picking Up An International English

Smaller Vocabulary

Easy Words For Everyone To Understand

Explanations

Clarity Throughout Your Communication

Sensitivity To Different Cultures

Global Communication

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