Tip 2: Be consistent with terminology

All languages contain synonyms, which are words that have a similar meaning (for example, “fast” and “speedy”). Using synonyms might appear to make a text more interesting, but sometimes synonyms can add confusion because it might not be clear to the reader whether you are referring to one thing in different ways, or to two different things. In addition, some synonyms are actually quasi-synonyms because although their meanings are similar, they are not exactly the same. In that case, substituting one word for another could actually alter the meaning slightly – a difference that could be magnified after translation.

Some types of text, such as literature, emphasize style. However, many of the texts that we write are more functional or pragmatic in nature (for example, memos, reports, emails). To make a text more translation friendly, be consistent with the terms that you use. Even if repeating the term might seem a little boring, it will be clearer and the text is more likely to be translated correctly.