"Translate" is an appropriate term, because pig-latin is a language. I.e. you can communicate with it. The fact that it is an invented, derivative, isomorphic

"Translate" is an appropriate term, because pig-latin is a language. I.e. you can communicate with it. The fact that it is an invented, derivative, isomorphic language doesn't mean it loses any properties of being a language. -- Being precise in mathematical or technical terms to a non-technical newbie makes no sense. They need to grasp some basic concepts of what its all about first, in terms that will make immediate sense to them. Only introduce formalisms when the need for them arises. That way, the reader is not only prepared for them, but can understand the motivation for learning them. Unless the intro is going to go long and deep, as in the reader is going to become a practitioner, overly precise formalism or language may not add anything at all - because they won't be ready to understand the nuance. One novel step at a time. It ends up being easier for the reader, gives them a series of rewarding light-bulb experiences, and requires less explanation in then end. Win-win-win.