16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation
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Abstract
Although for centuries people have been writing instructions to explain technological advancements, technical communication only developed as a recognised occupational field in the twentieth century. The expansion of software industries in the 1980s, driven by the exponential increase in business computing and home computer ownership, led to a need for people who could explain technology to lay users. Thus, technical communication became a more recognised occupation. This chapter outlines the features and functions of contemporary technical communication and technical documentation contexts. Although technical communication is a field characterised by diversity, and therefore evades easy definition, our chapter delineates central concepts. In addition to explaining documentation types and writing processes, we also outline traditional skillsets and competencies, including writing, information design, and interviewing. We then explore evolving competencies of technical communicators, such as structured authoring, usability, and knowledge of web 2.0 technologies. The chapter concludes that, despite constant technological shifts, the ability to communicate clearly is central to this field.
Abstract
Although for centuries people have been writing instructions to explain technological advancements, technical communication only developed as a recognised occupational field in the twentieth century. The expansion of software industries in the 1980s, driven by the exponential increase in business computing and home computer ownership, led to a need for people who could explain technology to lay users. Thus, technical communication became a more recognised occupation. This chapter outlines the features and functions of contemporary technical communication and technical documentation contexts. Although technical communication is a field characterised by diversity, and therefore evades easy definition, our chapter delineates central concepts. In addition to explaining documentation types and writing processes, we also outline traditional skillsets and competencies, including writing, information design, and interviewing. We then explore evolving competencies of technical communicators, such as structured authoring, usability, and knowledge of web 2.0 technologies. The chapter concludes that, despite constant technological shifts, the ability to communicate clearly is central to this field.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
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Part I: Fundamental Aspects
- 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
- 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
- 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
- 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
- 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
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Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
- 6.Legal Language 113
- 7.Economic Language 151
- 9. Lsps In French 209
- 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
- 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
- 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
- 13. Gender And Lsp 267
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Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
- 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
- 15. Controlled Language 289
- 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
- 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
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Part IV: Science Communication
- 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
- 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
- 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
- 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
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Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
- 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
- 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
- 24. Socioterminology 469
- 25.Technical Terminology 489
- 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
- 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
- 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
- 29.Legal translation 548
- Index 563
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
-
Part I: Fundamental Aspects
- 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
- 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
- 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
- 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
- 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
-
Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
- 6.Legal Language 113
- 7.Economic Language 151
- 9. Lsps In French 209
- 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
- 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
- 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
- 13. Gender And Lsp 267
-
Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
- 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
- 15. Controlled Language 289
- 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
- 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
-
Part IV: Science Communication
- 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
- 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
- 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
- 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
-
Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
- 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
- 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
- 24. Socioterminology 469
- 25.Technical Terminology 489
- 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
- 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
- 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
- 29.Legal translation 548
- Index 563
