A Glossary For International Websites

Cindy King — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:00:41 +0000

One easy way to make your website easier for foreign readers is to offer a glossary.

A good glossary takes some time and effort. You need to make sure your glossary is as clear and concise as possible. You want to make your glossary easy to understand for all of your foreign visitors with a basic level of English.

What To Include In Your Glossary

Of course, the glossary’s function is to explain terms that your audience is not familiar with.

A glossary can be helpful within a company:

For new employees

Different departments within a company

Different workers on the same project

And this becomes crucial in a multinational company, with employees from different cultural backgrounds.

However, a glossary takes on additional functions for an international audience.

The key is to find out what your international audience may not be familiar with. You should also pay attention to processes that are different and where confusion may crop up.

Your international readers may also have questions that you may not be able to think of on your own. This is why it is a good idea to review your glossary with all of the questions you get from your foreign clients.

Even apparently simple terms can have slightly different cultural meanings in English. You never know which definition your non-native English speakers are familiar with. A simple explanation may be helpful.

A glossary can be extremely important for your international readers.

Many companies underestimate its value. When you are familiar with something, it is sometimes easy to forget how others may appreciate a little extra clarification.

How To Deliver Your Glossary

There are several ways you can publish your glossary.

Hard copy
Online help
Document to download
Web page

How you decide to deliver your glossary depends on the type of document and your industry.

Where you publish your glossary also depends on where it is most effective. Remember, a glossary builds clarity.

It is always best to deliver your glossary where and when your foreign readers will look for it and appreciate it most.

A Published Glossary

Most people think of the glossary you publish with your communication materials. This is its most common use.

A well thought out glossary can:

Dispel confusion
Be informative
Lead your readers to understand your message
Have a strong marketing appeal
Increase your credibility
Provide online link bait

A Translation Glossary

If you anticipate translations, you should also look at an additional role for your glossary. In today’s world of website localizations a translation glossary is a necessity.

Online companies are currently increasing the number of languages offered. Even if you do not anticipate translations in the foreseeable future, this might become part of your projects.

A translation glossary covers more words and terms. They are not published. They are only used by translators.

Translation glossaries ensure that you get accurate and consistent translations in multiple languages.

Important to note: Translation glossaries are very helpful to translators if you have them before website localization starts.

Do You Need A Glossary?

Most companies that actively sell to international clients will benefit for a glossary of some form.

You need to determine the format and where to deliver it for your best marketing value. And this will depend on:

Your website – domestic, international, country specific
Your industry jargon
Differences in your industry and foreign industry equivalents
Your international audience

Remember, to write a good glossary you need to work on it. It is not always as simple as copying something from a dictionary or Wikipedia. You also need to make it applicable to your business and your communication.

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