Simplified Technical English:

Simplified Technical English:Why Companies Should Use It

And Translators Should Learn It

Patricia María Ferreira LarrieuxTechnical & Literary Translator

Warsaw, 29/03/14

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Agenda About me Purpose of this presentation The STE Project – Historical background Who uses STE? ASD-STE Specification – writing rules & dictionary Practical examples My thoughts on STE and technical writing Where to find training & more information?

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About me Born in Uruguay, living in Italy since 1990 Degree in English<>Spanish Translation (1989) Ran my own translation company (1997-2003) 10 years at Johnson & Johnson (2003-2013) May 2013: returned to freelancing Currently freelance technical & literary translator Member of: CTPU, IATPI, ITI (UK), COM&TEC

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Purpose of this presentation Raise awareness of the use of STE, a controlled

language, and the advantages it may have for:

› Readers › Technical Translators

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The STE Project – History Late 70s: AEA asked AECMA to investigate

readability of aircraft maintenance documentation 1983: AECMA Simplified English Project started 1986: First release of the AECMA Simplified English

Guide (predecessor of the STE Specification) 2004: ASD is founded (AECMA+EDIG+EUROSPACE) 2005: New issue of specification released as ASD-

STE100

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The STE Project – History (cont'd)

2013:› January: Issue number 6 of STE Specification

released – First issue ever to be distributed free of charge

› November: Memorandum of Understanding signed with UNINETTUNO

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Who uses STE? STE is not just for the aviation industry 99% of the keywords are applicable to all types of

documentation A strong interest is growing within the Academic

World, Faculties of Language and Engineering STE is used by companies providing language

services, technical documentation, localization and translations

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Who uses STE? (cont’d) Information Technology,

Software Telecommunications Oil and gas Automotive, Trucks,

Transportation, Railways Agricultural equipment Buildings Medical and Healthcare Fire protection

Nuclear Urban planning Gaming Machinery, Mining,

Manufacturing, Automation Semiconductors Consulting, Legal Shipping Food Industry Non-profit associations

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The ASD-STE100 Specification Controlled language: a subset of a language,

obtained by restricting: grammar vocabulary

to reduce or eliminate ambiguity and complexity ASD-STE100 is an international specification for

preparation of maintenance documentation using a controlled language

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The ASD-STE100 Specification (cont’d)

STE consists of: a set of writing rules a dictionary of controlled vocabulary

STE is meant for both native and non-native readers of English

STE is intended to be used for written communication only

STE is maintained by the ASD-STEMG

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What’s new in Issue 6? New general layout and formatting Review of sections 1 and 3 of writing rules Review of the categories of technical names Inclusion of Information Technology and telephony terms New category of technical verbs (Operational language) Improvement of the dictionary Further reduction of aerospace examples Clarification of the assigned meanings of some important

keywords

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What's new in Issue 6? (cont'd) Distribution free of charge by requesting it at: http://www.asd-

ste100.org/request.html

1700 copies have been distributed as of 19/03/14

About 40% distributed to users outside the AeroSpace and Defence fields

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Writing rulesThe basic philosophy of STE is to keep texts as simple and readable as possible.

Use only approved words from the STE Dictionary Use approved words only as part of speech given Use consistent language and spelling No noun clusters of more than three nouns Use only approved verb tenses

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Writing rules (cont'd)The basic philosophy of STE is to keep texts as simple and readable as possible.

Use the active voice Keep to one topic per sentence Procedures: write one instruction per sentence and use

imperative verb Warnings: always start a warning/caution with a simple

and clear command Keep sentences short (20/25 words max)

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The DictionaryKeyword (part of speech)

Approved meaning / ALTERNATIVES APPROVED EXAMPLE Not approved

START (v)STARTS STARTED

1. To begin a procedure, movement or operation2. To come into being, activity or operation

1. START THE ENGINE2. MEASURE THE BEND RADIUS FROM THE POINT WHERE THE BEND STARTS

begin (v) START INCREASE THE PRESSURE UNTIL THE FLOW STARTS AGAIN

Increase the pressure until the flow begins again

commence (v) START THE WARNING STARTS AND THE INDICATORS FLASH

Warning commences and indicators flash

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The DictionaryKeyword (part of speech)

Approved meaning / ALTERNATIVES APPROVED EXAMPLE Not approved

TEST (n) The procedure where an object or system is operated to make sure that its performance and/or function is correct

DISCONNECT ALL SYSTEMS WHICH ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR THE TEST

test (v) TEST (n) DO A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE WARNING SYSTEM

Functionally test warning system

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Practical Examples Non-STE: Test the system for leaks. STE: Do a test for leaks in the system

or Do the leak test for the system. Reason: “test” is approved for use only as a noun and not as a verb.

Non-STE: Make a sandwich with two washers (25) and the spacer (26).

STE: Install the spacer (26) between the two washers (25). Reason: do not use slang or jargon words.

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Practical Examples (cont'd) Non-STE: Ensure that the 600 Hz tone is audible when the XY switch is

depressed. STE: (a) Push the XY switch. (b) Make sure that you hear the 600 Hz tone at the same

time.

Reason: ensure, audible and depressed are not STE approved words. Always use a verb to describe an action (not a noun or other part of speech). Use the active voice.

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My thoughts on STE and technical writing

Using STE to write technical documents enhances readability by eliminating ambiguity and promoting consistency

STE minimizes the chances that an operator may misunderstand a technical procedure, warning or caution (increased safety)

STE texts are more CAT-tool-friendly than non STE texts ‑

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My thoughts on STE and technical writing (cont'd)

Income diversification: Technical Translators can offer STE-related services to clients (e.g. revision, translation, re-translation)

Technical Translators can interact with Technical Writers to support the use of STE

Technical Translators can join their local Technical Communication Association

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Where to get training on STE?

In November 2013 ASD and the International Virtual University UNINETTUNO signed a Memorandum of Understanding, a key milestone in the history of STE

As a result, UNINETTUNO is now the only body accredited by ASD to provide STE trainings and certifications.

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Where to get training on STE? (cont’d)

Training activities are being organized by UNINETTUNO on a distance-learning basis and delivered worldwide.

For more information, you can visit the UNINETTUNO website:http://www.uninettunouniversity.net/en/ASD-STE100.aspx

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Where to find more information on STE?

ASD website: www.asd-ste100.org ASD e-mail: info@asd-ste100.org STEMG Facebook page STEMG Twitter account @asd_stemg Contact STEMG on Linkedin Contact the STEMG Chairman:

orlando.chiarello@secondomona.com

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Thank you!!

Dziękuję!!

¡Gracias!