While reading Chapter 3: Readers and Contexts of Use, I found the main points and descriptions very interesting. It seems that before writing a technical document, knowing the reader and profiling them into categories will always help the document to be successful. The systematic approach to profiling a reader will help the document to be understandable and flow smoothly. In following the guidelines listed in the reading about profiling a reader, the different types of readers could be analyzed and mastered. Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary readers all play a role in how a technical document should be written. Each type of reader has different needs, values, and attitudes and must all be kept in mind when writing. Keeping in mind the educational level and how a reader will perceive your writing affects the style of your document. This idea played a large role when considering how other cultures will perceive the same document in America.
When trying to write a document in other cultures, different things must be considered. Mostly this would not be a problem unless a business is an international business, but most large businesses perform internationally. If a document was to be released in different countries at the same time the style, organization, content, and design must be generalized to take all countries into consideration. While visual aids usually help a document in America, it may not help in other countries. But since most countries use English as their business language, visual aids might make the technical document successful. Also in the reading, while writing technical documents the use of search engines could help the document substantially. While the internet might provide false information about companies, search engines can be used to help documents. The strategies used in the reading can help a document from complete failure.
Response
I think that what you said in your last paragraph is very true. International communication can sometimes be very hard to do because of language barriers. I was not aware that most of the international companies use English as their business language. This could help make things much easier in terms of international communication through technical writing. Like you said, visual aids are a big part of technical writing not only because the words tell you what is going on but the visual aids help depict what the writing is saying. All in all international communication through technical writing is made much simpler by the generalization of what is written in terms of a cultures style, organization, content, and design.
Bobby
Reply
I have to agree with your introduction where you suggest that by profiling the intended readers beforehand you have much more control in drafting a document that will prove successful. Still this, in keeping with the source reading, is not entirely cut and dry, but rather quite subjective as it relies on one's ability to analyze his or her audience. Nevertheless, it is an imperative starting step and you go on to offer a brief and accurate overview that outlines how and why it is beneficial to do so. In your latter paragraph it sounds as though you are suggesting that unless the individual works for a large, multi-national corporation, he or she will not have to concern themselves with the same writing techniques. If this is your implication I agree fully as it is not my experience via anyone that I’ve met to be expected to compose such documents.
Response
I agree with what you said about sharing documents on an international level and how important it is that everyone can read and understand them. However, what if a technical document is being sent to a foreign country where the skills required to read and understand it are not present? Do we still try to produce a document that can be understood even if some of its important information is left out? I definitely think it’s important to consider all audiences when writing but I also think there might be times where a document will be written/produced for a very specific person(s).
Response
I believe that if you are the writer and there is the possibility that the international reader won't understand pertinent information no matter how you present it that you still must present that info. But you must also be accountable and tell someone else like a supervisor that the problem needs to be solved by either training the reader, hiring a translator, or some other means. For example, if you are making technical sheets for manufacturing and the maker cannot understand how the process is described then you cannot leave out important steps. Granted this is a very simplified hypothetical but the point is that the writer should always stay accountable to at least present the proper information.
Shane
Response
I may have be taking your post of out of context so correct me if I am wrong, but I liked where you were going with the fact that not all countries may have to “skills to read and understand.” It brings up the point that you really can not write a one-size fits all document. There is just too many variations in language, norms, and customs from place to place. And not only that but some people, whether it be due to age or other factors, just can not understand some technical aspects, regardless of how watered down it is. I can compare it to trying to explain something very complex to a child, its not that their stupid or not trying to understand, but they simply don’t have the “skills” to understand.
English
While most companies do international business in the English language you still need to factor in the other person's level of understanding of the English language. Although I'm not expert on how English is taught in other countries, I guess that certain aspects of the English language that people would find confusing despite their level of fluency. Things we don't give a seconds thought to such idioms (dime a dozen, against the grain, etc.) might not make any sense to someone doesn't speak English as a primary language. While idioms are used more in speech they could easily find their way into writing if one isn't careful.
Andy
I feel that it is very
I feel that it is very important, in order to be a good technical writer, that the writer does have a good understanding of the type of audience that he or she is writing for. Though it is quite possible that other audiences will also read the writing, and though they might not totally understand all of the writing it is nearly impossible to write something that everyone will be able to relate to or understand. In the case of the writing for international audiences, specifically business writings, I do agree that it is important to make sure the writing can be easily understood by all the readers who will be reading it, but I do think that in most cases with international businesses that most of the people will have the education and capabilities to understand the writing they way it was intended to be understood.
International communication in Australia
Although I didn't discuss the international part of the reading thoroughly in my blog, your response got me thinking. I did a study abroad in Australia a few years ago and I wondered if the the marketing and advertising could be the same for two english speaking nations. Although our countries are very similar, their are several things about their culture that most people from the US don't know. For instance, for the most part, they don't like Foster's beer, they don't use many condiments on their food and most aussies didn't care for the "Crocadile Hunter" while he was alive. These may seem like things that don't matter, but if you aren't familiar with a culture, its the little things that can raise doubts with your writing or with a marketing campaign.
Mike Sheridan