Re: Manuals Written in Non-American English (Long - in two versions)

Subject: Re: Manuals Written in Non-American English (Long - in two versions)
From: Dan Martillotti <danm -at- DEV -dot- TIVOLI -dot- COM>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 10:46:34 CDT

Sabahat wrote:

> "I am a little miffed. Apparently Americans, when they start thinking
> about abroad, only three groups come to their minds -- Japanese,
> European and some times British. I resent people saying without
> qualification that you should write short sentences with simple words. I
> find that condescending. I -- and most other professional Third Worlders
> -- would find something written that way very, very patronizing.

Why do you find short sentences with simple words in technical documentation
condescending? The idea is that the writer takes a complex concept or procedure
and writes so that the average reader can understand it. In the world of technical
documentation for computer software, the average reader is no longer just the
college educated individual. And as long as the American public school system
continues to rate so low, we need to write in short sentences with simple words.

Simple sentences and short words. Get used to them.

_______________________________________
Dan Martillotti ******************
* * *
Tivoli Systems * * * *
(512)436-8359 * * * ** ** "The more that you read, the more
danm -at- tivoli -dot- com * * * * * * * things you will know. The more that
* * * * * you learn, the more places you'll go."
Class of '90 * - Dr. Seuss
***
---------------------------------------

TECHWR-L List Information
To send a message about technical communication to 2500+ list readers,
E-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send administrative commands
ALL other questions or problems concerning the list
should go to the listowner, Eric Ray, at ejray -at- ionet -dot- net -dot-



Previous by Author: PC Classroom Training
Next by Author: Re: WordPerfect to ANYTHING
Previous by Thread: Re: Manuals Written in Non-American English (Long - in two versions)
Next by Thread: Re: Manuals Written in Non-American English (Long - in two versions)


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads