Writing Around the World

A Guide to Writing Across Cultures

Cultures use different writing strategies because they strive for different goals. Some cultures rely on “writer responsibility” while other cultures rely on “reader responsibility.” Writer responsibility is based on clear, concise, and concrete prose. Reader responsibility is based on flowery, ornate, and abstract prose. Writing for other cultures requires understanding and adapting to these differences.

Chapter 1: Basic Principles
Chapter 2: Cultural Dimensions
Chapter 3: Language and Culture
Chapter 4: Writing Around the World
Chapter 5: Ethics
Chapter 6: Toolbox

Foreword by Ottmar Liebert

Ottmar Liebert is a five-time Grammy nominated composer and guitarist born to a Chinese-German father and a Hungarian mother. As a child, he spent most of his time traveling Europe and Asia with his family. Ottmar leads an ensemble called Luna Negra (Black Moon) that has gained popularity performing as a touring band and recording music albums in a Nouveau Flamenco style. Luna Negra mixes elements of flamenco with jazz, bossa nova, Persian, and Indian music. Ottmar’s latest album The Scent of Light takes listeners on a global journey through places such as Marseille, Granada, Kham, India, and Köln.

Endorsement

As coordinator of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, I need to communicate, often through writing, with thousands of people from more than 130 nations. Obviously this is quite a challenge in terms of getting messages across different cultural and linguistic constraints! "Writing Around the World" is the perfect field guide for this task and it has helped me to improve communication flow within the IYA2009 network. McCool's book presents a solid, suggestive and significant contribution to what is now one of the most difficult arenas in science communication: writing across cultures. —Pedro Russo, International Year of Astronomy 2009