How non native English speaker become a UX writer
As a UX writer, people often expect perfection — a grammar wizard who never makes mistakes. But over time, I’ve realized that being authentic and staying true to a brand’s voice is far more important than grammatical precision alone.
A Medical Background, A Passion for Writing
I didn’t come to the United States planning to be a writer. My bachelor’s degree was in medicine, yet my passion for writing grew stronger every day. Even during medical school, I found ways to nurture this passion. I wrote journals and articles, including one about children with asthma, which my team and I submitted to a major medical conference in Indonesia. To our surprise, we were invited to present our work in front of senior doctors and an audience of hundreds.
From Medical School to the States
When I moved to the U.S., becoming a writer was not part of my plan. I had to take English 101 and 102, where I wrote countless essays on diverse topics. To challenge myself further, I took a job as a magazine writer. This role required me to master a different kind of language — journalistic writing — which was nothing like the academic writing I had learned in school. It was an eye-opening experience that expanded my understanding of storytelling and communication.
The Turning Point: COVID-19
The pandemic changed everything. I graduated in 2020, eager to start a career, but quickly realized I lacked the professional experience many jobs demanded. I assumed experience would come with the job, but I learned that professional roles often require extensive skills from the start.
A friend offered me simple yet powerful advice:
“Take one big step to reach a thousand steps in the future.”
So, I did. I started searching for internships and volunteer opportunities, which led me to UX writing. At the time, I didn’t even know UX writing was a growing field. Back then, most people still referred to it as “copywriting.” Even now, I sometimes explain it as “copywriting like in social media” to help others understand.
English is not My First Language
I questioned whether I could succeed as a UX writer, especially since English isn’t my first language. My first volunteer role involved creating UX content in both English and Indonesian. “Writing in my native language? This should be easy,” I thought. But it wasn’t. Writing clear, concise, and user-focused content in any language is incredibly challenging. That experience taught me that being multilingual doesn’t automatically make you a great communicator.
The Realization: It’s not about Grammar
To improve, I turned to books on UX and product management. Slowly, I realized that UX writing is not just about grammar. Anyone can learn grammar in a few months, but understanding the user journey and crafting content that aligns with it? That’s the real challenge.
Grammar is just one piece of the puzzle. What truly matters is authenticity.
Authenticity Drives Results
There’s no single “right” way to write UX content. The key is being authentic — aligning the content with the brand’s voice and values while meeting user needs. Authentic content doesn’t just build trust; it drives business results. Yes, authenticity can bring in revenue.
UX Writing and Business Thinking
UX writing isn’t just about logic or empathy — it’s also about business thinking. How does the content fit into the client’s goals? How does it serve the user without compromising business needs?
Conclusion
Anyone can become a UX writer, regardless of their background or native language. What matters most is experience, practice, and a willingness to learn. Being a non-native English speaker is not a barrier; it’s an opportunity to bring a unique perspective. Skills can be developed, and with dedication, anyone can craft meaningful and user-focused content.
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