What is ASD Simplified Technical English (STE)?
STE is a controlled language. It includes a set of Writing Rules (approximately 60) and basic Dictionary (approximately 870 approved words) for writing technical documentation. The Writing Rules regulate the use of words, layout, sentence length, and how to write Warnings, Cautions and Notes. The Dictionary includes general words, such as “disconnect”, “general”, “hold”, and “sharp”, that you need to make sentences. Besides these general words in the Dictionary, you can use two additional families of words, called “Technical Names ” and “Technical Verbs”. STE (which is not “technical jargon”) does not control Technical Names (for example, words such as “bolt”, “grease”, and “corrosion”), or Technical Verbs (such as “drill”, “anneal”, and “upload”). It simply helps you decide, through its categorization, whether a word can be a Technical Name or a Technical Verb. Then, company policies or projects will define their preferences.
