#26083
International Webmasters Association
IWA, a professional trade association, provides educational and certification standards for Web professionals.
#26659
Internationalization is the process of designing and developing software or Web applications so that they can be easily adapted to various linguistic and cultural environments without additional programming or engineering. Central to internationalization is the separation of language and cultural data from the source code.
Usability Body of Knowledge. Resources>Usability>International
#20717
Internationalization and Authoring for Multilingual Web Pages 
Internationalization--how does it differ from globalization, localization, and all the other terms commonly found in the context of preparing products (for example, web pages) for the global marketplace? It is becoming an increasingly competitive advantage as corporations striving to compete globally realize its necessity. The issue is not to effect it but to effect it properly. Note, however, that internationalization is not limited to a company’s web site but also includes its products and software, related documentation, and marketing material and should be viewed as an integrated whole.
Adams, Cathleen. STC Proceedings (1999). Design>Web Design>Localization>International
#22445
Efforts to create joint programs with universities in foreign countries are evidence that internationalization is imperative. One such effort is the professional writing program at Fairfield University that recently established an international partnership with the Universidad de la Habana in Cuba.
Sapp, David Alan. CPTSC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Education>International>Cuba
#28762
Keith Hoffman, president of the Madison Wisconsin Four Lakes Chapter, talks with George Hayhoe, editor of the Technical Communication Journal, about the emergence of technical communications in China and Korea, and the forces behind the push for technical communicators.
Hayhoe, George F. and Keith Hoffman. Tech Writer Voices (2007). Articles>TC>International>Podcasts
#28480
Introducing XML Internationalization
One key benefit of XML is the fact that it was designed for international use. But do you really understand the concepts of internationalization and localization? This article explains what they are, how they work, and why you want to use them.
Silberman, Hernan. IBM (2007). Articles>Information Design>XML>International
#28807
Is "Intercultural" Communication a Moot Point?
Good writing is good writing in any language, and focusing on the quality of the writing in your own language is a great start to any communication with people from other cultures.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2007). Articles>Writing>Communication>International
#24568
Issues of Validity in Intercultural Professional Communication Research 
This article explores three ways to design US empirical methods to be more valid and ethical in cross-cultural studies. First, intercultural researchers need to distinguish broad rhetorical and cultural patterns from regional, organizational, and personal patterns, a process that requires balancing the fact of difference with the need for generalization. Second, US researchers need to distinguish not only the differences in rhetorical patterns in a form of communication but also in the ways that form is used rhetorically. Third, researchers need to construct researcher-participant relationships that are sensitive to the values of organizational relationships in both cultures.
Thatcher, Barry L. Journal of Business and Technical Communication (2001). Articles>Research>Methods>International
#24372
Job Hunting in a Global Market
An international demand for native English-speaking technical communicators has provided many opportunities for North Americans to seek employment overseas. At the same time, there are many who have dreamed about working abroad. Those interested in pursuing international employment should learn various job-search techniques, and should be aware of differing re'sume' requirements. Know what you will do if and when a job offer is made, and prepare yourself for the move. Living and working overseas can be exciting, but it is also challenging. You must be willing to accommodate yourself to the local culture. The Internet is an essential tool for international job seekers.
Van Laan, Krista, Carol Chubiz and Donald J. Plummer. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Unemployment>International
#31079
To gain a competitive edge--or even survive--in a world gone flat, a company must assert a level of uniqueness. Companies creating global Web sites can use competitive analysis and landscape analysis to analyze the market; Lee-Kim details how to add cultural analysis to this mix.
Lee-Kim, Julia. Intercom (2008). Articles>Web Design>International
#27816
KM-Forum: An Initiative from India
KM-Forum: an initiative from India for global knowledge management professionals. A discussion group on KM related topics for global KM Professionals.
Bhojaraju G. Yahoo (2005). Resources>Mailing Lists>Knowledge Management>International
#27276
The author discusses considerations in deciding whether to work abroad or not. Outlines possible goals and objectives as well as contract and visa issues.
Sala, David P. Intercom (2006). Careers>TC>International
#10375
Learning How to Use a Cellular Phone: Comparison Between German and Chinese Users
The objective of this study was to investigate whether and how 'cultural standards' influence the use of typical daily products, e.g. a cellular phone. The goal was to provide insight for technical communicators who design information products for Chinese or German users. Hypotheses about differences in learning and information gathering strategies were derived from Chinese and German cultural standards. Methods used were focus groups, usability tests and a questionnaire. In focus groups, the question was raised about how cellular phone users had learned to use the phone. Four focus groups were held in each country (number of participants: China: n=26, Germany: n=24). A questionnaire was designed to provide additional information. During usability tests, the actual information searching behavior was recorded. Results indicate that the following cultural differences exist: The main source of information for Chinese is the sales clerk, whereas for Germans it is the conventional user manual.
Honold, Pia. Technical Communication Online (1999). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Usability>International
#14085
Localization Industry Standards Association
Consisting of over 200 corporate clients and their globalization solutions partners -- the LISA provides best practice, business guidelines and multi-lingual information management standards for making enterprise globalization a reality.
#30518
Managing Documentation Projects in an International Environment: The Supervisor's Role
The technical publications department of a major corporation is always a complex environment. When this environment also involves dealing with the issues of an international company and almost daily interaction with international counterparts, the opportunities and challenges are greatly increased. Joining a large-scale, ongoing publications project under these conditions requires quick learning and the rapid acquisition of new skills. For a project of this type to succeed, a supervisor must successfully solve a unique set of problems and is rewarded with enhanced opportunities for growth and professional development.
Chapman, Stephen C. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Documentation>Management>International
#19888
Managing International Projects: Case Studies
The Human Interface Group manages for a number of its multinational clients their international software. This discussion fits in the larger issue that more and more companies try to communicate with international clients.
Dehaes, Christel and Kris Vanstappen. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Management>International
#24599
Messages from Josefa: Service Learning in Mexico
The article discusses service learning in a women's natural health clinic in Josefa Dominguez, Mexico. The author also discusses how students in writing classes can learn from community service and learning.
Clark, Gloria. LLAD (2000). Academic>Education>Service Learning>International
#10404
Professional technical communicators increasingly find themselves in a negotiation situation where cultural differences have caused misperceptions or confusion concerning time (pausing, interrupting). This article overviews an intercultural perception experiment that investigated how individuals from different cultures perceive questioning and pausing/interrupting behavior in the same videotaped Dutch-Chinese negotiation. The study, which involved Chinese, Dutch, German, French, and Italian students of similar educational backgrounds, revealed that culture can affect how different individuals perceive and interpret the same situation. For example, the 'traditionally' polite Chinese appear to interrupt more often than many Western individuals might expect. And while both Chinese and Dutch observers thought the Dutch interrupted far more often than the Chinese, findings based on linguistic parameters for interrupting reveal it is the Chinese who interrupt more often.
Ulijn, Jan M. and Kirk R. St. Amant. Technical Communication Online (2000). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>International
#10184
National and International Organizations for Technical Writers
This page is an international list of professional organisations, associations etc. for technical writers.
Peter Ring Consultants. Organizations>Writing>International>Technical Writing
#14705
Technical communicators working in countries outside the U.S. share their thoughts on their profession.
Bouquet, Luc, Ken E. d'Albenas, Frederic R. Menezes, Alison Reynolds and Valerie Gilliotte. Intercom (2001). Articles>TC>International
#31213
One Message, Many Cultures: Best Practices for Global Communication
Corporate communication is the lifeline of any organization—crossing cultures, perceptions and language barriers to reach employees around the globe. Messages must be delivered accurately, while strengthening the organization’s position, building trust between the organization and the employee, and communicating a message that is not only current to local issues but relevant to each employee.
Stokes Thomas, Annita. Communication World Bulletin (2008). Articles>Communication>Globalization>International
#28576
Open Access Digital Repositories: An Indian Scenario
Open access digital repositories give barrier-free access to literature for study and research to users worldwide. They solve the pricing and permission crises for scholarly materials. This paper deals with open access digital repositories in India. The results of the study reveal that the repositories contain both published and unpublished documents, like seminar proceedings, conference papers, theses, dissertations, research reports, books, and so on. The results also point out that open access digital repositories in India are mostly subject specific and commonly use open source information repository software like DSpace, Greenstone Digital Library Software, and GNU EPrints. It is observed that generally the open access digital repositories use OAI-PMH (protocol for metadata harvesting), so that they can be accessed using search tools such as Web search engines, whereas a few don't use it but provide direct access to their documents through their websites.
Ahmed, Fayaz and Rafiq Rather. International Journal for Technical Communication (2007). Articles>TC>Information Design>International
#24177
Technical communication flows across borders. Talking about 'international technical communication' makes about as much sense as talking about a 'flying airplane.'
Martin, Maurice. Intercom (2004). Articles>TC>International
#31630
Overcoming Environmental Barriers
On May 3, 2008, something extraordinary happened: the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities went into effect. The goals of the Convention are lofty: it insists that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms and sets out eight guiding principles and obligations to meet them.
Quesenbery, Whitney. Usability Professionals Association (2008). Articles>Usability>Accessibility>International
#24712
Writing in English, people are apt to impose the paragraph structures of their native language, much as they impose their native syntax upon English. This panel enlists the audience in viewing empirically how paragraphs written in English by both native and nonnative speakers reflect predispositions from their own cultures. The aim is to answer some practical questions for international communicators.
Campbell, Charles P., Jan M. Ulijn and Nicole van Beeck. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Writing>International
