Checking your documentation on STE

Simplified Technical English

    Simplified Technical English (STE) is an international standard for using English in technical documentation. By standardizing both terminology and grammar, an unambiguous version of English gives instant clarity to anyone operating a specific machine or product – or a series of similar machines/products.

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    The ASD-STE100 norm

    The international STE norm, or ASD-STE100 norm in full, solves a problem of the English language: its grammar is relatively complex. In addition, a lot of English words have more than one meaning. That’s why ‘regular’ English could lead to both confusion and ambiguity. As a consequence, dangerous situations can arise.

    Let’s take an example. For a native speaker, the verb “Rotate” has a clear-cut meaning, although its meaning varies with its context. “To rotate the cover” means something else than a pilot telling his colleague “to rotate”. For a non native speaker, however, “rotate” may sound too complicated or, indeed, too ambiguous. That is why “rotate the cover” is not correct STE. Instead of using “to rotate”, STE prefers the simpler verb “to turn”. This leads to a sentence such as “Turn the cover”.

    Using STE is already mandatory in the aviation and aerospace industry (where, indeed, its origins lies). Its use is mandatory in the military sector as well. Nowadays, use of STE is also commonplace in the IT sector, in manufacturing and in the consumer market.

    Advantages STE

    • Less ambiguity = more safety (!)

    • An international standard increases your trustworthiness

    • Maintenance and repairs can be done much faster than before

    • Reduction in translation costs because of shorter texts, possibly 40%

    • Effective check on quality because of precise rules

    • Shorter time to market because of a simpler setup of your documentation

       

    The ASD-STE100 norm

    In essence, the STE norm consists of two parts: a part containing writing rules and a part containing a minimal dictionary.

    The writing rules should lead to as little ambiguity as possible.

    The dictionary contains a limited list of verbs and nouns. These should be words that lead to as little confusion as possible.

    STE part 1: writing rules

    Here are some of the writing rules when using STE:

    • Do not use more than three nouns in a row: ‘overhead panel’ is permitted, but ‘overhead panel battery section’ is not.
    • Sentences describing a specific procedure should be at most 20 words long; sentences giving a definition should not contain more than 25 words.
    • A paragraph must be at most six sentences long.
    • Working instructions should be as specific as possible: not “Start the machine”, but “Press the green Start button on the righthand side of the machine”.
    • Never use the passive voice in a text, but always an active sentence: not “The screws should be replaced” (by whom?!), but “The mechanics replaces the screws”.
    • For working instructions, use an imperative sentence: “Replace the screws” and not, for example, “It is important to replace the screws now.” Be as strict as possible.

    STE part 2: dictionary

    The STE dictionary serves only purpose: to do away with ambiguity.

    Again, an example illustrates this. When a mechanic has to do a certain job, it is prohibited to use the verb ‘to carry out’. This verb could be interpreted in at least two different ways: as performing an action and as taking an object out of the current surroundings. That is why ‘to do’ is preferred. Using the phrase ‘to carry out’ is not allowed in STE.

    What can we do for you?

    Manualise is, of course, completely familiar with STE. We can check your technical documentation on the correct use of STE. Our Manualise STE checker, a software application, is at your disposal. Do you want to know more on STE? Please contact us.