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: chemical hoods From:Ian White <ian -at- IFWTECH -dot- DEMON -dot- CO -dot- UK> Date:Mon, 1 Apr 1996 12:08:47 +0100
Colleen Dancer (02) 333-1862 wrote:
>I think the discussion on different terms is important for us as
>techwhirlers. It shows that it can be downright dangerous to assume that
>American English, UK English, Australian English etc are the same. If I
>have the potential to cause a life threatening situation because I use a
>term that the audience doesn't know, I am not doing my job well.
Absolutely: it's important to define any terms that might be
misinterpreted - and more important still, to know which terms those
are.
> I think
>it is a very common misconception that all English is the same.
It's especially common among speakers and writers of US English, most of
whom never encounter any other kind. In contrast, the rest of the world
is extensively exposed to US accents and usage, and has at least some
understanding of the differences.
For everybody's information, Colleen, what do you see as the main
differences between Australian English and British English?
