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Simplified Technical English
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Controlled language for technical documentation
For other simplified forms of English, see Simple English.
ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE ) is a controlled natural language that is designed to simplify and clarify technical documentation. It was originally developed in the 1980s by the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) at the request of the European airline industry, which wanted a standardized form of English for aircraft maintenance documentation that could be easily understood by non-native English-speakers.
It has since been adopted in many other fields outside the aerospace, defense, and maintenance domains for its clear, consistent, and comprehensive nature. The current edition of the STE standard, which was published in January 2025, consists of 53 writing rules and a dictionary of approximately 900 approved words.
History<br>[edit]
The first attempts towards controlled English were made as early as the 1930s and the 1970s with Basic English,[1] Caterpillar Fundamental English [2][3] and Eastman Kodak (KISL).[4] In 1979, aerospace documentation was written in American English (Boeing, Douglas, Lockheed, etc.), in British English (Hawker Siddeley, British Aircraft Corporation, etc.) and by companies whose native language was not English (Fokker, Aeritalia, Aérospatiale, and some of the companies that formed Airbus at the time).
Because European airlines needed to translate parts of their maintenance documentation into other languages for local mechanics, the European Airline industry approached the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) to investigate the possibility of using a controlled or standardized form of English, with a strong focus on readability and comprehensibility. In 1983, after an investigation into the different types of controlled languages that existed in other industries, AECMA decided to produce its own controlled English. The AIA (Aerospace Industries Association of America) was also invited to participate in this project. The result of this collaborative work was the release of the AECMA document PSC-85-16598 (known as the AECMA Simplified English Guide) in 1985. Subsequently, several changes, issues and revisions were released up to the present issue (Issue 9).
After the merger of AECMA with two other associations to form the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) in 2004, the document was renamed ASD Simplified Technical English, Specification ASD-STE100. Thus, STE evolved from guide to specification. With Issue 9, it has transitioned to international standard. The change in designation (the subtitle of the document is "Standard for Technical Documentation") is not just a reclassification is but a significant step in reinforcing the global applicability of STE.
ASD-STE100 is maintained by the Simplified Technical English Maintenance Group (STEMG), a working group of ASD, formed in 1983. The copyright of ASD-STE100 is fully owned by ASD.[5][6]
The ever-evolving nature of technology and technical language causes the STEMG to rely on user feedback for suggested changes and updates.[7] Since Issue 6 in 2013, ASD-STE100 has become free of charge. Over the years, 18,981 official copies of Issues 6, 7, and 8 were distributed. Since Issue 9 was released in January 2025, almost 1,000 official copies have been distributed (distribution log updated March 2025). Usually, a new issue is released every three years.
A free official copy of the ASD-STE100 Standard (latest issue) can be downloaded immediately at ASD website via online form or request via email through the ASD-STE100 website.
Benefits<br>[edit]
Simplified Technical English can:
improve the clarity of technical writing, especially procedural writing[8]
improve comprehension for people whose first language is not English
make human translation easier, faster, and more cost-effective
facilitate computer-assisted translation and machine translation
improve reliability concerns related to maintenance and assembly by reducing their probability to introduce defects or human-factor risks.
Structure of the standard<br>[edit]
The ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English Standard consists of two parts:
The writing rules
The dictionary
Writing rules<br>[edit]
The writing rules cover aspects of grammar and style. The rules also differentiate between two types of texts: procedures and descriptions. A non-exhaustive list of the writing rules includes the concepts that follow:
Use the approved words only as the part of speech and meaning given in the dictionary.
Make instructions...