To translate the technical language of a survey instrument into ordinary prose for lay readers, we developed a five-step method: 1) the technical language was standardized; 2) a nontechnical translation was produced; 3) lay readers were tested to discover what parts of the translation were unsuccessful; 4) the reading level of the translation was determined; and 5) a statistical correlation was performed to determine whether or not the translation accurately reflected the technical language. The validation measures in steps 3, 4, and 5 verified that our translation was faithful and readable.