Writing for English Language Learners (ELL) and Translation¶

Grammatical Tips¶

Do not use slashes
Avoid complex sentence structure; use short sentences
Keep subject, verb, and object close together
Place main idea before exceptions and conditions
Put general statements before specific statements
Have only topic per paragraph
Avoid the passive voice
Relativizing can create issues for translators
Some languages do not use non-restrictive relative clauses (RC). Readers may mistake them for restrictive RCs
Some languages do not relativize the indirect object or the possessor. Inexperienced translators may have difficulty translating them
Use the simple past, present, and future
Be careful about using time and direction. Languages often related time to a direction, but they do not all use the same directions as English to indicate the movement of time
Avoid using the present as a metaphor for the past
Avoid nested statements, questions, and propositions
Put alternative concepts into separate clauses or sentences
Make logical relationships in sentences and paragraphs explicit
Make headings (e.g., “Overview”) precise
Try to make the first clause in the paragraph present the paragraph’s theme
Ensure that each paragraph builds, instead of growing weaker or confused
Delineate points that succeed each other: (first, second, third–or through other means)

Avoid slang
Avoid jargon or overly technical language (not found in Scripture)
Use simple vocabulary when possible
Avoid compound/phrasal verbs
Use direct language that is straightforward and to the point
Try to avoid abstract language/nominalizing verb
Try to avoid semantically complex expressions. This includes technical theological terms whenever possible.
Use extra care when using loan words. These are words either borrowed by the NT from the LXX or borrowed by English from the NT Greek. This type of terminology will likely be unavoidable. Elaboration may be needed when dealing with loan words. Remember, these English words do not exactly correspond with the Greek concepts.
Avoid metaphors, metonyms, and synecdoches

Do not capitalize divine personal pronouns or attributes
Do not use contractions
Write in the third person
In general, write in the past tense when describing events that have already occurred
Be cautious about tense in prophecy as this will have implications about whether a prophecy has been or will be fulfilled
If possible, juxtapose two ideas right next to each other. The example above could be written as two paragraphs starting with “Some scholars” and “Other scholars” or as two sentences in the same paragraph
Avoid words with different possibly senses being used in a given paragraph. Also, make certain that a pronoun’s antecedent is clear and unmistakable
If possible, avoid words with multiple abstract senses

Ensure that the paragraphs are well formed before diving into the trans friendly challenges for each sentence
Figure out what the author wants to say, rather than just look at what he has written
Make headings (e.g., “Overview”) precise
Watch out for unfortunate implications not intended by the author
Prefer shorter rather than longer sentences
Be ready to split a paragraph up into several paragraphs, if needed, for clarification