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.
Subject:Re: International English From:"Cheverie, Paul [Cont]" <paul -dot- cheverie -at- GPO -dot- CANADA -dot- CDEV -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 16 Jan 1996 10:50:00 EST
Ian wrote:
>The goal of "international English" is to make itself clear to every
>reader, regardless of origin. Part of this - but only one part - is to
>avoid any regional usage that might not be understandable to everybody,
>or might distract attention from the subject matter. Another important
>part is to avoid less-common meanings of words, which can be very
>confusing to readers for whom English is a second language.
>I strongly believe that it is the writer's responsibility to sidestep
>any such problems, rather than making choices that would benefit one
>group of readers at the expense of others.
Well said! Our (techwriters) reason for being is exactly that.
Paul C
paul -dot- cheverie -at- gpo -dot- canada -dot- cdev -dot- com
