Writing for Translation: An Editor's Checklist

This document is a checklist guide for editors creating content intended for translation into multiple languages. It outlines essential elements to consider for ensuring that the content is globally neutral and easily understood. The guide emphasizes the importance of concise sentence structure, recommending that sentences contain no more than 15 to 20 words to facilitate comprehension and translation accuracy. It advises against the use of humor and idiomatic expressions, as these can lead to misunderstandings in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the document highlights the need for clarity in dates, times, and measurements, suggesting that standard English word order be used to avoid confusion. The guide also encourages the use of active voice and the replacement of phrasal verbs with simpler alternatives to enhance clarity. Overall, the checklist serves as a practical resource for editors aiming to produce content that is effective across diverse audiences.