Random Thoughts of a Blogger - International

Making Good Mondays has a larger international audience than my political blog, South by Southwest. Along with the United States at 56%, Canada and the United Kingdom each have 11%; Australia and India each have 3%. Twelve other nations share the rest of the readership. I have had a few posts that have been linked abroad, I have regular foreign readers, and a blog in Italy has a link to this blog.
Notice that English is the primary language in every nation but India, which nevertheless has a very large percentage of English speakers. The Internet provides translation services, however, and it is interesting to see a blog post translated for another reader.
Because of the large number of readers from outside our borders, I was curious about what I was doing that "worked" for foreign readers. I speculate that the subjects, themes and images have a somewhat universal appeal: Focusing on creativity, I write poetry and prose, and about dreams, utilize imagery prominently, and sometimes write about the international aspects of Space. I write about my childhood, my birthplace, about home and holidays (see LABELS in the left column).
Other bloggers sometimes explore these same questions about the international aspects of the Internet.

• Lorelle VanFossen, writing for last yearBlogHerald asked, "Are You Really Writing For Your Blog Audience?" I quote a few tips:
  
  

  Have you stopped to consider the cultural colloquiums and references you make in your blog writing which are country, region, or age specific? I have.
  
  . . . Think about how the trendy, jargon, national, and regional references you use in your blog may be misunderstood or even confuse your blog readers. It’s critical for bloggers to be “understood”, so take time to look at what you write and how your writing may create a disconnect with your readers.
  
  . . . If you are writing as a representative of a culture or region, then definitely allow your written speech to represent the dialect and colloquialisms of your area. It’s essential to create the “sense” of place in your blog writing, inviting the readers into your world.

• Webmaster General's "tedster" wrote a little post some time ago that still may have pertinence for bloggers posting today. Titled "International Pitfalls for American Webmasters," it discusses differences between countries regarding numbers, date formats, and national cultures. An Enterprise Technology Architect, Craig Borysowich, discussed the internationalization of documents and documentation last year.

It is my plan to follow some of these hints and parameters. Because fiber optic cables carry my ideas around the world in a magical way, I great you across our borders. I welcome you to read and would very much welcome comments. May your next Monday be a fine one!
My topical post today at South by Southwest and The Reaction is about Iraq.
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