Global considerations

For content that will be machine-translated, repeat prepositions and add articles so a translation tool can properly identify context and grammatical relationships. 

Instead of this: You can join sessions from the web, desktop application, or a mobile device. 

Try this: You can join sessions from the web, from a desktop application, or from a mobile device. 

User-interface copy or instructional materials often include a series of steps. When writing this type of content, first mention the location, followed by the actual action. 

Instead of this: Select the type of alert you want to send from the first drop-down menu. 

Try this: From the first drop-down menu, select the type of alert that you want to send. 

Some cultures regard negative language—words like force, reject, or kill—as insulting, embarrassing, or shameful. Also, negative language can cause grammatical issues when translated. This is especially true for double negatives (not unlike instead of like). It’s not always possible to avoid these types of words, so take extra care when it comes to tone. 

Instead of this: When you complete the updates, kill your session. 

Try this: When you complete the updates, end your session.

Instead of this: You can’t reconnect without signing in again. 

Try this: Sign in again to reconnect. 

Idioms, regionalisms, slang, colloquial expressions, and other culture-specific references can confuse non-native speakers and are difficult—sometimes impossible—to translate. 

Citrix style calls for simple, clear language, and the same goes for punctuation. Complex constructions—using semicolons or multiple dashes, for example—can impair readability for non-native English speakers and can make translation difficult. 

False subjects usually occur at the beginning of a sentence with words like “it is” or “there are.” These constructions mask the real subject and can confuse international readers because “it” and “there” have no direct meaning and don’t translate. In addition, sentences with false subjects are usually in the passive voice and tend to be wordy. 

Instead of this: For most companies, virtualization has become a mainstream technology. 

Try this: Virtualization has become a mainstream technology at most companies