Simplified Technical English (STE) is a controlled language developed to enhance the clarity, consistency, and readability of technical documentation, particularly in industries where safety and precision are critical. Originally created for the aerospace and defence sectors, STE has since been adopted in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, energy, transportation, and software development.
What exactly is Simplified Technical English and what has been its impact on global communication?
Definition of Simplified Technical English
Simplified Technical English (STE) was formally known as ASD-STE100. It is a standard controlled language developed by the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). It provides writing rules together with a controlled vocabulary and is intended to minimise ambiguity and misunderstanding while improving translation efficiency.
STE is a systematically constrained version of English designed specifically for technical writing. It ensures that maintenance manuals, instructions, and technical documentation are easy to understand for both native and non-native English speakers.
Origins and Development
STE was developed in the early 1980s by the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA, now part of ASD) in response to the growing complexity of technical documentation and the global nature of the aerospace industry. A working group reviewed the existing practices for writing documentation and concluded that inconsistent and overly complex English often led to costly misunderstandings and safety issues.
The first version of the specification was released in 1986 as AECMA Simplified English. Over the years, it evolved into ASD-STE100, which is now maintained and updated by the Simplified Technical English Maintenance Group (STEMG).
Purpose and Benefits of STE
STE offers four significant benefits:
Clarity and Consistency
STE ensures that technical content related to any industry or subject is written in a consistent and unambiguous way. As such, it helps maintenance personnel and engineers understand instructions quickly and accurately.
Improved Safety
In high-stakes industries including aviation and defence, even seemingly minor misunderstandings can lead to serious safety risks. STE reduces these risks by ensuring that instructions are easier to follow.
Ease of Translation
Because STE uses a limited and controlled vocabulary with fixed, predefined meanings, it is easier and more cost-effective to translate into other languages than standard English. This is especially important in multinational operations.
Increased Productivity
Technicians spend less time interpreting instructions, leading to faster, more efficient maintenance and repair operations.
It is worth noting that STE plays a critical role in bridging the gap between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE). Both BrE and AmE are natural varieties of the English language with differences in spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and idiomatic usage. For example, a tool that would be referred to as a spanner in BrE would be identified as a wrench in AmE. These differences, while often minor in everyday conversation, can create significant confusion in technical documentation, where precision and clarity are essential.
Key Features of Simplified Technical English
Controlled Vocabulary
STE features restricted number of approved words (approximately 900 root words) and assigns a single, clear meaning to each word. For example:
“Close” is used to mean “move something so that it blocks an opening” (e.g., “Close the valve”).
The same word is not used as a noun and a verb if it could cause confusion.
Writers are discouraged from using synonyms or words with multiple meanings that are not included on the approved list.
STE vocabulary is listed in a dictionary. The dictionary specifies the approved meaning and part of speech of each word together with examples of its use in STE and non-STE. Most words in STE are only approved for use as a specific part of speech.
Writing Rules
STE includes more than 60 writing rules that guide grammar and style. The core rules include:
Use short sentences and simple sentence structures.
Use active voice rather than passive.
Avoid using idioms, jargon, and colloquialisms.
Use consistent terminology for technical objects and procedures.
Use words only as the part of speech and the meaning given in the dictionary.
Do not use auxiliary verbs to make complex verb constructions.
Use vertical lists for complex text.
Write one instruction per sentence.
Write only one topic per paragraph.
Do not write more than six sentences in each paragraph.
Start safety instructions with a clear command or condition.
Use of Standardized Terms
Each technical term is clearly defined, and writers must use only the approved form. For example, use “start the engine” instead of “fire up the engine” or “activate the power unit.”
Challenges and Limitations
Training Required
Writers must be trained in STE rules and vocabulary, which involves a learning curve.
Perceived Limitations
Some users feel constrained by the limited vocabulary, especially when trying to convey complex or nuanced information.
Adoption Across Teams
For STE to be most effective, it must be consistently used across an entire organization or project, which can be challenging.
In summary
Simplified Technical English is a powerful tool for creating clear, concise, and consistent technical documentation. By limiting vocabulary and enforcing rigorous writing rules, STE minimizes ambiguity and enhances communication across languages and cultures. While it may require training and discipline to implement, the benefits, from improved safety and efficiency to reduced translation costs, make STE an invaluable asset in many technical fields. As industries become increasingly globalized, STE continues to play a key role in bridging communication gaps and ensuring operational accuracy.
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