PLAN

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Here are 5 basic points to consider for any sign.

1. Audience. Who will read the sign? The choice of language or languages depends on the target audience. But if a sign is translated for a single target audience, it can be wrong or even offensive within the context of the sign’s environment.

//figure x -- keep door closed in Kumamoto Castle pic//

For example, a sign in the women’s restroom at a Japanese tourist attraction, written solely in Korean, admonishes the reader to keep the door closed. However the message behind the monolingual signage that the writer believes that only one cultural group could possibly be responsible for the transgression. Such a sign should be put up in all possible major languages, or use universally-understood iconic images.

2. Message. What should the sign say, and how should it be said? This sounds simple, but may actually be deceptively difficult. Consider the following picture, for example:

Figure X. Toilet sign: WHY push?

The message in four languages on this sign tell the reader to push the button, as do the arrows and photograph. All of this is extremely clear except for one essential element: Why does the button need to be pushed? In other words, what will happen when it is pushed? Humans are not trained to follow orders if they do not understand what they are for. In this case, the more appropriate wording would have been "Push to flush" or simply "FLUSH" in 4 languages, as this is what the signmaker actually wants the user to do.

3. Language. Keep the following in mind when choosing language(s).
a. English is the first choice for a universally studied, universally understood educated lingua franca. Most people will understand simple English, but will not want to read more than a few words.
英訳のためのプレエディット
b. Chinese has two written varieties: simplified, used in mainland China, and traditional, which is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and elsewhere. If space considerations necessitates choosing between the two, simplified Chinese is readable by users of the traditional characters. However, political and other considerations may dictate a choice of traditional Chinese instead.
中訳のためのプレエディット
c. Korean, the language of Japan's closest neighbor. Older Koreans may read Japanese, and younger Koreans English, but all will greatly appreciate information in hangul.
韓訳のためのプレエディット?

4. Simple is best.
Use clear, easy language, uncluttered by politeness or wordiness, for best results. Titles and greetings may be unnecessary. Leave them out or save them to finish up your sign. Compare these two photos:

Picture X. Complicated photo
Picture X. Simple photo

Also, remember that "A Picture is worth 1000 words". Consider using pictograms (illustrations, arrows, photographs and/or icons) to get your message across in any language. Here are some examples:

Picture X.

5. Don't trust google translate.
"This translation may not be 100% accurate" is how automated translation engines render websites in another language. If your message is not accurate, it may be amusing at best, and life-threatening at worst. Use the PDCA cycle for the best results.

グローバルに通じる看板・案内の条件
(1)　英語は大切
英語は国際語であり、世界のほとんどの国で学習されています。
(2)　しかし、英語が全てではない
英語は国際語ですが、難しい英語を理解できない場合もあります。ニーズに合った言語を選びましょう。
(3)　百聞は一見にしかず
ひと目でわかるように、矢印などのピクトグラム（図）を兼用することをお奨めします。
(4)　「生の」自動翻訳には頼れない
Google translateなどの自動翻訳サイトへの丸投げは失敗の元です。まずはメッセージを翻訳しやすくする必要があります。
(5)　Simple is Best
簡潔で明確に書いてある文章は、メッセージが伝わりやすいです。
(6) 内容中心
飾り（タイトル、あいさつなど）の表現は後回しにして、まずは伝えたい内容を決めます。

次のリンクでは、対処言語ごとに、日本語を編成して翻訳しやすいようにしましょう。