Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2011

Moving International Technical Communication Forward: A World Englishes Approach

Michael Jarvis Kwadzo Bokor Long Island University

Abstract

This article explores how the English language contributes to cross-boundary communication failure and establishes that there is an “English language problem” that has not been adequately addressed in preparing United States native English-speaking students for international technical communication tasks. For example, U.S. technical communication scholars are still grappling with the problems of using English in software internationalization and translating technical communication products across boundaries of national culture and language without privileging Western values and beliefs. The tendency is to assume American culture and American Standard English as the norm, and to identify cultural and linguistic differences as problems only when there is a communication failure or when non-native speakers of English translate product users' manuals and other documents for use by Americans. The article draws attention to the limitations of the current favored strategies for training native speakers in international audience analysis and calls for a revamping of the curriculum to allow for the integration of language-based methodologies. It suggests the incorporation of the World Englishes perspective into training programs to internationalize students' learning experiences.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2011-04-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.41.2.b
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Closed
Topics
technical communication multilingual writers translingualism
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Hodges et al. (2023)
    Transnational Technical Communication: English as a Business Lingua Franca in E…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Melonçon et al. (2020)
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Ding et al. (2013)
    Guest Editors' Introduction: New Directions in Intercultural Professional Commu…
    Technical Communication Quarterly

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CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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