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Re: YOU are responsible, even when YOU are not to blame

Subject: Re: YOU are responsible, even when YOU are not to blame
From: Mike MacLean <Michael -dot- MacLean -at- alcatel -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2003 16:11:50 -0400



Bruce Byfield wrote:


Kim Roper wrote:

Besides, I'm in Canada. I've seen people apologize to parking meters :>

People often worry about differences between British and American usage in tech writing, but rarely about how to write for a Canadian audience.

Kim's comment reminds me of an old joke: How do you get 30 drunken Canadians out of a swimming pool? Answer: You say, "Please get out of the pool."

And lest anyone think this is hyperbole, I remember once when I was in Berkeley seeing a sign on the campus that read: "Walking on the grass is strictly prohibted. Violators will be fined." The week before, I had noted the Canadian equivalent: "Please keep off the grass. Thank you!"


A personal confession:

As a rookie tech writer, my first few procedures asked the user to "Please click the xxxx button to...". My editor quickly cured me of that. :)

--

Michael MacLean
Technical Communications
Alcatel Canada
613.784.8667



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References:
RE: YOU are responsible, even when YOU are not to blame: From: Kim Roper
Re: YOU are responsible, even when YOU are not to blame: From: Bruce Byfield

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