Starting a private blog I had to decide again about the language it should be written in. So far I’m using German AND English there as the blog posts haven’t been that long yet.
But as soon as the texts get longer, this is going to be really time consuming. And when it comes to play with words, you might even not be able to transport everything to another language – unless you are a professional translator.
Also different language communities will have different approaches to the subject you blog about. An American working with social media finds himself in another situation regarding the web infrastructure and the acceptance of using this channel than a German.
I’ve posted about this question already by the time I started this blog here. The answer I got then was: make different blogs – one in each language.
Stephanie Booth gave me a link to a video today that is also about this subject:
I like Stephanie’s description of multilingual bloggers acting like bridges between the different language communities. I often feel like that in my work and also in private.
But being a member of global and European web communities can also make you forget that reading/writing English is not selfunderstood for everybody. So take care about who you want to be your audience and your targetgroups and THEN decide what language you use on your website and/or blog.
I have to say you have made me think very carefully about the way I word things(something for which I thank you!)
Although the current site replaced an ex-site (as it were) the consideration of the predominant language was never an issue (rightly or wrongly) but we knew our membership.
Having a mixture of people from different countries on the website we try to run, has raised the issue of languages many times. As an English speaking forum we are fortunate to have English speaking members. Though we (Native English speakers) are in awe of the standard of understanding ‘English as a second language’ members demonstrate. You have made very valid points to me about not using colloquialisms, and encouraged me to word things as concisely as I can. This has been a great benefit to all.
The consdieration of which language to use when setting up a new site is without doubt an important one.
Hi Karen,
great to know that my “PR-hat” has brought you some benefit
We often tend to forget that others don’t have the same skills when it comes to the use of languages. And that foreign people might not get anything if natives use idiomatic phrases, colloquialisms or play with language.
On the other hand it is very educating to be active on such forums or communities. My English is constantly improving ever since I’m on the web.
It really has! Although I find the hat a bit scary at times
, I do pay attention and have learnt! *bows to you*
It’s good to know it helps those with English as a second language, if only we (natives to the language)could be as good at learning other languages!