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Writing English Texts for the Web – A Guide for Non-Native Speakers of English

By Ramona Winkler, SAP AG – April, 27, 2001

Abstract

The common language of the Internet at the present time is English. Unfortunately, globalization and the illusory idea that English is an "easy language" have lead to a degradation of the quality of English texts on the Internet. The new global language is not English, but bad English, as many Internet writers who seek to reach an audience beyond their national boundaries possess only rudimentary English skills.

This article is intended principally for non-native speakers of English. Here you find the most common grammar and punctuation rules as well as some practical tips for writing in American English.

 

The Language of the Global Village

Global Internet access has heralded a not-so-new phenomenon: a lingua franca. Even though English is not the most common first language in the world, it has become the language of the Internet. The term "lingua franca" has come to mean a common language used among groups that speak diverse languages. (Latin, for instance, was the lingua franca of the Roman Empire.)

English is uniquely qualified to be the current lingua franca of cyberspace: it is relatively easy to learn enough to communicate, ideas can be expressed fairly succinctly, and it is highly expandable – allowing for the coinage of neologisms necessary for new features, technologies, and environments in the virtual world.

Nevertheless, one should not forget that English, the new lingua franca, was not specifically created for the typical communication needs of Internet users. English is a living language with rules to which online publishers should adhere.

Non-native speakers of English should be familiar with the basics of English grammar, syntax, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation.

Because errors:

And because good writing:

Let's start with some general and easy-to-remember tips for good writing in English.

 

Tips for Writing in American English

Write short, simple sentences.

Write in the present tense (unless you really mean the past or the future).

Use the imperative or the active voice when the reader has to do something.

Do not leave out articles or other "small" words.

Never use a sophisticated word when a simple word suffices.

Avoid turning verbs into nouns.

Avoid overusing exclamation marks.
Exclamation marks indicate that the writer or speaker is yelling.

Address the reader directly by using "you" and "your."

Make the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them.

Capitalization in titles

Use the spellchecker.

All those writers who want to take a closer look at pitfalls of the English language should read on....

 

Punctuation Tips

Comma (,)

Apostrophe (')

Semicolon (;)

Colon (:)

Hyphen (-)

Dash (–)

Quotation Marks (" ")

 

Typical Capitalization Problems

Areas, months and days of the week are capitalized in English.

Seasons are not capitalized.

Nouns and adjectives describing nationality and language are capitalized in English.

 

Speak You German? Common Problems of Native German Speakers

Typical Idiomatic Problem Areas

Common incorrect translation: We have an own version of the software.

Common incorrect translation: A customer of me is in Walldorf this week.

Common incorrect translation: This has to be finished until the end of next week.

Typical Punctuation Problem Areas

Do not use an exclamation point after imperative constructions.

Do not use a comma before a dependent clause.

Use a comma before independent clauses.

Typical Usage Problem Areas

Translating Proverbs

 

Final Word

And if you still haven't had enough, you should consult the following books:

 

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