What exactly is a language style guide and why is it relevant to an eLearning business? A language style guide is a document customized to establish language standards to be followed when working with internal and external clients. It acts as a reference that employees will refer to in case they are uncertain about the use of language standards.
The Advantages of Having a Language Style Guide
1. Ensures Consistency
A language style guide ensures consistency in communication, and helps avoid conflicts about what is right.
2. Reduces Iterations
Employees need not spend time in asking for and giving clarifications for any issues. When the receiver processes/understands the message as soon as it has been sent, there’s no room for such iterations. This results in increased productivity.
3. Reduces Escalations
Often, inconsistent language usage results in management personnel being embroiled into unwarranted email chains instead of concentrating on strategizing and managing. The presence of a language style guide ensures such escalations are reduced and time is spent on other tasks.
4. Encourages Employees to Communicate
Often employees, for lack of standard guidelines on how to compose written messages, may hesitate to avoid written communication altogether or, if they feel compelled, end up sending across unclear messages.
5. Customized Client Guidelines
You can share your language style guide with their clients, instead of clients sharing their own guidelines each time a project is initiated. Clients can then suggest their preferences as additions to the existing language conventions, which will then make up for guidelines for that specific client for all future projects. For example, you share your US English Style Guide with your American client, who then advises you on their preference about the usage of the serial comma.
I hope these 5 reasons for having a language style guide help you in making an informed decision for having your own language style guide in place.
Are you now ready to make your own language style guide?
