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Ethical Implications of Intercultural Audiences. Presented by: Lucas Horn. A Global World. Live in a global market Television – Japan Furniture – Sweden Chocolate – Germany Telephone – Malaysia Wide range of customers in the technical writing world Ethical and cultural implications.
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Ethical Implications of Intercultural Audiences Presented by: Lucas Horn
A Global World • Live in a global market • Television – Japan • Furniture – Sweden • Chocolate – Germany • Telephone – Malaysia • Wide range of customers in the technical writing world • Ethical and cultural implications
Teach Cultural Awareness? • Global readers can access and use documents • Documents serve as tools to sell products • Awareness of ethical implications • Reflects social and cultural values
The Universal Standard • The idea of a “Universal Standard” is a myth! • Visuals images • Colors • Layout of text • Ikea • Attempeted but failed
English as Global Language • 402 million native English speakers • Globally: 600 million speakers as second language • Main language of books, newspapers, airports, science, technology • 2 out of every 3 scientists speak English
Downside of English Dominance • Portrays English as being superior language • Force people to compromise own language and customs • Sacrifice of own language • Ethical dilemmas and power struggles • Need to teach and bring awareness
Strive for Clarity • Use of common words and phrases • Remove: Latin origin words • “Accomplish” and “Utilize” • Replace with: Germanic words • “Fill in” and “Put off” • Use of “Plain English”
“Plain English” is Not Clear • Use of Plain English is not always clear • Unfamiliar idioms • Some speakers preferred Latinate words
Globalization of Awareness • Intercultural communications is a necessity • No longer assume everyone knows English • “We-are-the-world Syndrome • Other languages are on the rise • Mandarin
Localization • Individually address a multicultural audience • Microsoft • Write towards a specific community • New technique used more recently
Translation • Adapt to different discourses in terms of a translatable document • Word selection • Avoid metaphors • Provide contextual information • Help prevent cultural hegemony
Dangers of Localization • What constitutes a culture? • Excessive generalization can cause stereotyping • Can instill hierarchy of language • Expensive and time consuming
Conclusion • Technical writers need to be trained in intercultural communication • Learn how to use different writing styles • Ethically decide which style is appropriate • Be aware of one’s surroundings
Works Cited • Heitzman, Lisa. "Ethical Implications of Intercultural Audiences." Orange: A Student Journal of Technical Communication (2005): 10. Web. 23 Nov 2010. <http://orange.eserver.org/issues/6-4/heitzman.html>.