More than 20% of Australian families do not speak English at home, and some have low English proficiency (see Understanding your users).
Ensure that your messages are in plain language so that people with lower literacy levels can understand them. Plain English content is also the best starting point for translations – whether the content is translated by the content creator, or by users through their own translation app or services. Publishing content in different formats, such as infographics or audiovisual content, can also support understanding in users with low English proficiency.
Translation
Some user groups may prefer or need information in their language. To ensure that translations are as accurate as possible, it is good practice to:
- co-design the content with the community
- start with plain English content – be mindful of homonyms (words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings), slang and idioms, even if they are well known in English
- use an accredited translator
- choose a translator who provides an editing round to check the translation against the original text
- engage the translator to recheck the text after it has been put on a website or designed (e.g. as a brochure)
- consider using specialist translators for specialist content (e.g. use expert health translators for medical information).
Nationality, religion and ethnic groups
Do not mention nationality, ethnicity or religion when it is not relevant. Do not say:
We gave the scholarship to our top performer, who is from India.
The proprietor of the smallgoods manufacturing company, who is Italian, was prosecuted for violating the Food Standards Code.
ABC television interviewed the Chief Scientific Officer, who is a Muslim.
However, there may be some cases where these details are relevant to the story:
The senator, who is a conservative Christian, argued against changes to the marriage laws.
When referring to religious or ethnic groups, avoid stereotypes and derogatory terms, and never include any insensitive or judgemental associations.
Muslim (not Moslem) is the spelling preferred by English-speaking followers of Islam.
Immigrants and migrants
Avoid using the terms migrant or immigrant unless referring to someone who has very recently arrived in Australia. Do not use these terms to refer to residents or citizens from non-English-speaking backgrounds. Instead, use culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or multicultural.
Developed versus developing countries
When referring to countries, use the terms developing countries and developed countries, or low-, middle- and high-income countries. Do not use underdeveloped countries or terms that should have a geographical meaning only, such as the West, westernised, north or south.
The term Third World was coined for developing countries because they are typically in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific, and therefore independent of either the western or eastern blocs. This term, and the corresponding First World, are best avoided because they are judgemental and not internationally accepted.