TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
My grandmother came to the United States from Portugal in 1913. She learned
to speak English on the streets of Oakland's "Little Portugal." For the next
84 years, she talked like she just got off the boat.
Grandma always said "Close the lights," and at home, I do, too. Close the
lights. Open the radio. What could be more natural?
In technical manuals, I write "the light comes on" or "the light goes off."
A military editor taught me that. To her tin ear, "comes on" sounded better
than "gets open." I'm aware that in certain circles, the phrases "comes on"
and "goes off" might cause coarse laughter, but I've had no negative
feedback from my readers.
