International and Non-English Speaking Audiences

If your audience is international, consider following an international style guide such as the United Nations Editorial Manual. If your text is in English, consider using British English. Use plain language. Keep sentences short. Write in active voice when possible. Avoid idioms and colloquialisms. Be aware of differences in style for currencies, dates, units, and addresses.

If you choose to translate content and are trying to reach a wider audience, select a standard dialect of Arabic, Chinese, an Indian language, or Spanish. Your NREL communications representative can help you choose both the appropriate translation for your audience and a contractor to provide the translation. If you translate content, have it reviewed by a person fluent in that language. NREL has a list of bilingual staff members who can help read, write, and translate many languages. Your NREL communications representative can provide you that list.