English has not only become one of the most important languages for communication but has also gained ground in science. Yet, when referring to technical English, we do not mean a completely new language but one that is based on the general grammatical and syntactical rules of the English language. Technical English is merely English for a special purpose. It serves to meet the need of communicating ideas, concepts, results in a very efficient way which is not limited to native speakers of English but easily understandable by all working in this field. Godrey/Parr offer a good definition:
“The term ‘technical literature’ covers a wide variety of publications, all of which have as their object the conveying of information from one person to another. This information, to be of greatest use, must be conveyed as efficiently and as clearly as possible and herein lies the whole art of technical writing.”
Trying to convey information in an efficient and clear way, the question arises as to whether technical English shows certain characteristics to meet its purpose.
In this paper I will focus on the features of technical syntax and want to answer the question of how technical English achieves its purpose of being clear and efficient. I restricted my investigations to syntactical features concerning nouns and verbs. Using a variety of examples and texts I will furthermore prove how technical English tends to shortness, preciseness as well as comprehension by omitting any creative, literary paraphrasing.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Change in Syntax
2.1. Nouns
2.1.1. Nominalization
2.1.2. Zero Article
2.1.3. The s-genitive & Plural Forms
2.2. Verbs
2.2.1. Post-modifying Past Participles
2.2.2. Infinitive + »ing« as a Verbal Noun and after Prepositions
2.2.3. »NcI«-structure
2.2.4. Related Participle Construction
2.2.5. The Passive
2.2.6. Modal Verbs
3. Examples of Technical English
3.1. A report: The Preparation of Aspirin
3.2. A manual: Motorola Dimension 1000 Binary GSC Pager
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives & Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the syntactical characteristics of technical English and to demonstrate how these features contribute to clarity, efficiency, and precision in technical communication. By focusing on specific linguistic constructions involving nouns and verbs, the paper explores how technical writing achieves its purpose of conveying information without relying on creative or literary paraphrasing.
- The linguistic role and condensation function of nominalization in technical texts.
- The usage of zero articles and the Saxon genitive as means of achieving brevity.
- Syntactical mechanisms of verbs, including passives, participles, and modal verbs.
- The application of specific syntactical features in practical examples like laboratory reports and manuals.
- The movement from verbal to nominal forms to enhance information density.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1. Nominalization
Nominalization is a very important means of condensation. It facilitates a more rational, precise and efficient transfer of information. In the field of technical English nouns also serve the purpose of being more measurable as verbs are regarded as too vague.
The following examples serve to illustrate the common use of nominal expressions:
Ex. 1: “post-weld cleaning” instead of “to clean after the welding”
Ex. 2: “Heavy rain causes flooding” instead of “When the rain is heavy, the water comes up high and spills over the banks”
“Post-weld cleaning”, for example, is much more likely to be used than “to clean after the welding”. With the deletion of the verb “clean” and the preposition “after” as well as the insertion of the prefix “post” the phrase “post-weld cleaning” is more rational and precise. And what is more, as a syntactical unit it can easily be excised and inserted into a different part of the sentence. Furthermore, example 2 shows that nominalization facilitates an efficient way of transferring information. “Heavy rain causes flooding” is not only more likely to be used but is also highly efficient as it reduces the length of the phrase to a minimum. The meaning, however, is still the same.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter defines technical English as a language for specific purposes and outlines the paper's focus on syntactical features concerning nouns and verbs to achieve efficient communication.
2. Change in Syntax: This section provides a detailed linguistic analysis of how noun phrases and verb structures are modified in technical English to increase information density and objectivity.
3. Examples of Technical English: This chapter applies the previously discussed syntactical theories to real-world documents, specifically a chemistry laboratory report and an electronic device manual.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that while technical English is based on general grammatical rules, its distinct syntactical preferences effectively serve its goal of global, efficient communication.
5. Bibliography: This chapter lists the academic sources and technical writing references utilized throughout the investigation.
Keywords
Technical English, Syntax, Nominalization, Passive Voice, Information Density, Technical Writing, Lingua Franca, Participles, Modal Verbs, Scientific Communication, Zero Article, Saxon Genitive, Functional Verbs, Clarity, Efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the specific syntactical features of technical English, examining how it differs from common core English to achieve clear and efficient information transfer.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
The primary themes include the condensation of language through nominalization, the use of passive voice for objectivity, and the modification of verb and noun structures to prioritize process over agency.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to answer how technical English achieves its purpose of being clear and efficient by investigating syntactical features related to nouns and verbs.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses descriptive linguistic analysis, comparing standard English structures with technical variations, and provides empirical examples from technical reports and manuals to support these observations.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers noun-related features like nominalization, zero articles, and the Saxon genitive, as well as verb-related features such as passive constructions, participles, NcI-structures, and the use of modal verbs.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Technical English, Syntax, Nominalization, Passive Voice, Information Density, and Technical Writing.
How does the usage of nominalization change technical sentences?
Nominalization allows writers to condense phrases by replacing verbal expressions with nouns, which makes the text more rational, precise, and easier to modify or insert into different sentence contexts.
Why is the passive voice used so frequently in the analyzed texts?
The passive voice is preferred because it shifts the focus away from the human agent and onto the technical process or result, thereby increasing the objectivity of the document.
What does the manual for the Motorola Dimension 1000 illustrate?
The manual demonstrates the practical application of technical syntax, showing how modal verbs, infinitives, and pre-modifications are used to give precise instructions while maintaining text density.
What is the significance of the "NcI-structure" in technical writing?
The NcI-structure is identified as an efficient way to express product information with a high degree of objectivity and neutrality, especially when dealing with data or performance figures that are yet to be confirmed.
- Citation du texte
- Ulrike Miske (Auteur), 2007, The syntax of technical english, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115291
