Prompting Skills playbook/Module 5 · Writing with AI

Day 49 / 100 · Writing with AI · Translation and localisation

Translate the meaning.

South Africa has twelve official languages. Word-for-word translation misses register, local terms and how people actually talk.

Who and where

Add 01

Who reads it and in what setting: an SMS, a contract, a poster.

SAY

“For customers reading an SMS.”

Register

Add 02

Formal or everyday? Respectful or friendly?

SAY

“Everyday and friendly, not formal.”

Local terms

Add 03

Keep brand names, rand amounts and local words as locals use them.

SAY

“Keep product names in English.”

Fluent review

Add 04

A first-language speaker checks it before it goes out.

SAY

Every time. No exceptions.

Sources: SAnews ↗ · ACL Anthology ↗

AI drafts it. A fluent speaker signs it off.