CHAPTER 5 The Use of English 5:1. The Importance of English. The successful engineer must be something more than a skilled mechanic, an artisan, or a designer. He must not only be able to make surveys and prepare plans and designs, but he must also be able to make reports to his clients or superiors, pre- pare instructions for his assistants and subordinates, write specifications, prepare agreements, both as a basis for receiving bids and for making contracts; he must originate, lay out, and supervise or carry out contract works, and supervise the maintenance and operation of industrial plants. In each case the engineer must be able to explain his plans and proposals so that his reasons and methods will be understood and appreciated. The eLility to use clear, logical, forceful, and correct English is an asset of great value to the engineer, and frequently means advancement beyond others of equal technical ability but without the ability of cor- rect and proper expression. ‘ Obscure, incorrect, and faulty language used in engineering repo:ts, instructions, contracts, and ‘specifications frequently involves -disputes and litigations, with the consequent loss of thousands of dollars, and in some cases misunderstandings which may cause the loss of lives and reputations, Any clement in engineering education the misuse of which may produce such dire results or the correct use of which may bring Such great results is worthy of the most careful consideration and atten- tion. The command and intelligent use of language is often the best method of conveying to others an appreciation of the knowledge possessed by the engineer and of his ability to mect and solve engineering problems, For success, the engineer must not only be technically able to solve the engineering problems which come to him for solution, but others must know and appreciate his ability. It is true that the best test of ability is the actual performance of the work in question, but.a knowledge of the ability so demonstrated is confined to the clients, employers, friends, ; 73 : Scanned with CamScannerand Engineering Relations : jder knowledge of 4 seer; and a wider q colleagues, OF employees of the ee, oF written word. a . e spoke B 5 ae that ability can be secured only byt vipers before engineering soa ‘Articles in the technical press OF FAP ew and novel lines, Wate describing new designs and new ‘yaintance and reputation of = d the acq} ject on which well prepare jon of an article or paper on a subj i - their writer. The preparation 0! OF Paper engineer's knowledge, he is particularly wel gives him opportunity for a © nd ai om work, develops his ability, anc ne any other individual. ‘When such rete ema nedge and fulfill a duty also aid in te advancement of pro een such articles are prepared every pian owe © Polar : urpose of advertising and purely from a selfsh motive," Ti iets to the profession and detr- advancement, they ae Tere simple subjects are well prepared for, mental to the author. pen. si 0 4d advancing the pro- the fe of conveying valuable information and a he prov fea, they ‘become a valuable asset to the profession and a legitimate id to individual advancement. : “3a. Engineering English. Engineering English should and does differ from the English of literature. Fine writing and picturesque language © have little place in the writings of the engineer. The language should always be clear, definite, and exact; it should often be brief, technical, and to the point. It must vary in its character from the English of litera: ture to the English of the law, according to the persons for whom and the purposes for which it may be prepared. In general, engineering Eng- lish must be written with the particular parties for whom it is intended in mind, and their education, training, technical knowledge, and point of view must be fully considered. st Engineering | reritings may be subdivided into several classes, each. more or less distinct, but such writings may frequently fall between or within more than one of these classes and sometim character of each. enctimies partake of tg In general, letters, reports, and papers may be writer ‘. 1. Nontechnical readers y/o leniten for: 2 Technical readers more or less acquainted with engineeri but not particularly yore in the special subject treated re eed 3, Supervisors and assistants, those specially acquainted wit “ ject matter treated Y sequainted with the sib: 4, Contracts and specifications 53, The Hearer or Reader. The knowledge and capacity of “gts ition or rpoken langings ts adremod i @a Fipeione cee a to be considered in the preparation of articles, reports, ea ae The | statement that “doubling the head of water acting on a eee z Contracts, Specifications, 4 Scanned with CamScannerThe Use of English . bc) will increase its power more than 2.8 times, because such power will vary with the three-halves power of the head acting,” is a perfectly clear statement to the hydraulic engineer but may mean little to a business- man, and must be stated in greater detail and with considerable explana- tion if it becomes necessary or desirable to have the businessman under- stand and appreciate the fact. In such writing, technical details that are special to the subject .and are not commonly known to the layman should be expressed entirely in nontechnical terms so that the persons for whom it is written will understand the matter involved, the reasons for the plans proposed, and the results to be accomplished, There are few technical matters which cannot be made so clear in a properly written paper or report that any good businessman can understand them,, and failure to prepare such papers so that they can be understood is usually due to a lack of understanding of the matter by the engineer himself. Any engineer has only to attempt to read some advanced work on a subject with which he is unfamiliar to recognize the fact that, while such a work may be perfectly plain to the expert, it is quite meaningless to the novice who must first read elementary works on the subject and acquire the fundamental ideas and the necessary vocabulary before he can comprehend the advanced work. : Papers on technical subjects must therefore be written with the capac- ity of the reader in view. For the businessman, the conclusions are most important, but they should be supported by such a clear discussion of the facts and such a presentation of logical arguments as will appeal to his judgment and common sense. The detailed data by which the conclu- sions are reached are less important, but should usually be presented as a basis for the conclusion. When the paper is prepared for technical readers who have had a certain technical training and are known to understand certain scientific Principles, the matter may be presented in a different form, and the special matters described must be so treated as to make them plain to others than the specialist. In such cases, the discussion of the data and the principles on which the conclusions rest becomes the important matter to be considered, and the’ explanations are needed only of thése technical details that are special to the subject and are not commonly understood by the general professional man, When those addressed are specialists in the matter discussed, the data obtained and the methods of their derivation and investigation become of primary importance. Technical terms properly applied will add to the clearness of the exposition, and conclusions, when drawn, must be the obvious deduction from the data and the facts, In the writing of contracts and specifications, which in the execution of the work must usually be interpreted by men of varying capabilities and Scanned with CamScanner76 Contracts, Specifications, and Engineering Relations y are, subject to sh ay Bod ety es tt Pa ire are the mathematical symbols in an ane There a on : one interpretation and that the one intended, an oe a 3 snea ¢ both the common and technical words or terms used an ir local or special significance should be thoroughly understood and appreciated, the subject treated is desirable The use of the technical vernacular of ct when it adds to the clearness of the meaning. Ordinary words-and terms must be used with great care and frequently must be modified and de- fined so as to assure an exact interpretation of their meaning. 54, Knowledge of Subject. The absolute prerequisite for clear and accurate technical writing is a clear and accurate know!edge of the sub- ject which is to be discussed or described. While this is self-evident, lack of such knowledge is nevertheless an important reason for much and perhaps most of the obscurity in reports, technical papers, and specifica- tions. If a specification must be prepared or a technical detail described which is imperfectly understood by the writer, how then can it be clear to others? It is impossible to convey a true idea which is not possessed by | the writer, and the idea conveyed can never be clearer than the writer's understanding of the matter described, Accurate and complete knowledge requires study, application, effort; the interpretation of the and reflection, These, technical writers frequently fail to exercise, either. from indolence, carelessness, or lack of tim 7 a » aN} of which is for obscure language, bit no one of which ait ba one x r valid excuse for such language, oe en A Knowledge of spelling, punctuation, grammar, chetoric, and com position, and even a broad experience in iti i; ‘3 will not compensate for a lack of Tnowledge of the c “ oct ite ae these subjects are necessary elements of good En, he eae le sable for clear and exact English, and while the merge een, and composition are desirable and even cssential ae of shstone tions, they are all secondary to the idea or ‘ideas ba ; e, best en gis convey. Failure to Possess or to exercise a Knowle Pat i esi % : shows lack of cultivation and is undesirable file ige a these subject highly objectionable. The exercise of such Eanes in mportat pies means to an end, but it cannot, without collateral Le is desirable an ject matter, attain that ond. owledge of the sul There are few men who are thorough} . 3 . fully acquainted with all its details wha qctSed im their subject and i into cannot present ‘the subjects orally at least, in.a clear and usually interesting manner. Even if theit grammar is defective, their sentences imperfe a tation poorly arranged, their knowledge will be eyident and their efforts will be appreciated. The combination of both knowle dlge and litera ct, and their entire prese™” » Scanned with CamScannerThe Use of English a ability is necessary for the presentation of technical matter in clear, concise, and correct language; and logical form naturally increases the ease with which the heater can follow the argument and comprehend the ideas. But no literary ability, no flights of rhetoric, no elegance of diction or practice in delivery or presentation can replace or ‘supply the lack of knowledge of the subject or convince the intelligent hearer that there is more than empty sound in such a presentation, In written’ papers, adequate presentation without some knowledge of the principles of literary composition becomes more difficult; but the principle remains that knowledge is the prime essential and the one ele- ment without which even partial success. is impossible. Whatever the subject may be and whatever the object of the paper which is to be prepared, it can be successful only when based on a sound, clear, exact, and detailed knowledge of the subject considered. With such a knowledge, the preparation of sentences, paragraphs, and entire papers of a form and substance which can be clearly understood becomes largely a matter of care and practice, With something to say or to explain which is clearly understood by the writer, and with the capacity of the reader kept fully in mind, any technically educated man can with care and diligence soon acquire the ability to write English. Primarily, therefore, for technical writing of every description, the essential feature is to have the subject well and thoroughly understood, to have something to say, and then to say it in the simplest, plainest, clearest language of which the writer is capable, keeping clearly in mind the capacity of the readers for whom the matter is intended. Knowledge of the subject is fundamental to success and indispensable for clear technical exposition. A knowledge. of spelling, punctuation, grammar, rhetoric, composition, and the meaning of words, both common and technical, is a secondary consideration but nevertheless very important, 55. Logical Arrangement, While a clear statement of facts or require- ™ents is essential to convey the ideas and meaning desired, when the Matter discussed requires corisiderable space for its full consideration, the logical arrangement of the material becomes hardly less’important. All technical writings are intended to convey to the reader a knowl- edge of what the writer knows or desires, in such a manner that he shall Clearly understand the subject discussed or the requirements described, 48 completely as necessary or desirable for the purpose in view. The sub- Ject should be considered with this end in view. It should be outlined in Seneral and then discussed in detail, and the discussion should proceed ically from the fundamental and essential features to those that are dinate and less important. Subject should first be analyzed and its fundamental and essential aah é Scanned with CamScanner8 Contracts, Specifications, and Engineering Relations features separated and arranged in logi be further considered and the subot factors arranged in a similar manner. When the entire subject has hoe, treated in this manner and an outline has been prepared, the prepara. tion of the written matter can then proceed. The subject should first be discussed in a general way so as to give a once a concrete concept of the matter to be treated. Following this, each feature can be taken up in the order determined and discussed as fully: as its importance demands. The main ideas underlying the treatment should be: (1) the arrangement of the entire subject in logical order both as regards main features and subordinate factors; and (2) the dis- cussion of each feature and each subordinate factor in a connected man- ner but at the same time so distinct and separate as to define accurately & ah aa ct eae its relative importance and its modifying effect One main idea and one only should be dev i the subject may and should be divided as es arp ee es} and such chapters or other subdivisions as ma’ bi Sy plish the clear and logical presentation of th fale kate mee distinct from other subjects, s0 should the mat visitas be ee eate and distinct from each other; and each should b perce tees plete consideration ofthat particular feature ta hide eee cool ta the same manner, ech subdivision should be devetud wctoncle ott cap Gide itil tein | be devoted exclusively to that therein, and Gach ubardimsts iat e main subject which is discussed signed a section or a paragraph OF qualifying influence should be as With due study, reflection, and practrer gee warrants. along the lines fadieated iy ready ctice, the development of a subject with reasonable intelligence, wile emPlished, and, if carsied out entre subject. > result in a clear exposition of . The Outline. Thi th should. precede th cal sequence Each feature hoy dinate but esen¥all quali ra g _ & g EB. ee. Q E 4 E e pose for which the paper se nant must be understood thatthe Po even a well-balanced treatment of the sue zeae a complete i By be to develop and emphasize some Particul; e Purpose otf el a rt at are most important for the ends in view. Thee, rage 4 These must Scanned with CamScannerThe Use of English 79 elaborate treatment, and matters of minor importance must be sub- ordinated to the general purpose and more briefly treated or altogether ignored, as their importance, relative to the main object, warrants. What ideas are to be developed, what facts are to be presented, and what order of presentation will be the best and most logical and will most easily convey the meaning which it is desired to impress on the reader are matters which depend on the purpose for which the paper is prepared and the readers to whom it will be presented. In general, the . purpose and the reader must be kept continuously in mind, and all diversions which will tend to obscure the main object of the paper or distract the attention of the reader from that object must be avoided. The outline should be regarded only as a means to an end and should be changed or modified as the necessity for alteration may develop dur- ing the preparation of the paper. Facts and illustrations which it may at first seem desirable to utilize may be found, during the preparation of the paper, not to yield to satisfactory treatment, and others may be sub- stituted to advantage. In the first attempts at the preparation of such papers, it may reasonably be expected that the development of the sub- ject will frequently make desirable an entire reconstruction and re- arrangement of the outline. The best results and ultimate facility in the preparation of technical papers can be secured.only by willingness on the part of the writer to rearrange and rewrite his paper entirely as often as he can recognize the opportunity for material improvements. The actual preparation of an outline may be preceded to advantage by the analysis of existing papers on subjects similar to that under con- sideration. The papers for such study should be selected from the best available sources, From the analysis so made, an outline should be pre- pared which will exhibit at a glance the plan of construction of the paper selected for study. Such an analytical outline will give the student a clear idea of the basis presumably used by the best writers in the preparation of their papers and will serve as a guide to the preparation of an outline for the subject at hand. Valuable suggestions and examples along this line may be found in the following chapters on specifications and in Various books on English composition. 57, Style. Technical men commonly possess an unwholesome dis- Tespect for literary ability. It is often assuméd by them that they are men of action and not of words, and that therefore the devotion of their attention to the correct principles and methods of literary, expression is Superfluous and nonessential, and rather to be neglected than cultivated. education of technical men is largely scientific, and precision and efficiency are among the most important principles of their training. Such education is not complete until the value of literary ability is appreciated. Let the technical man be scientific in his use of language as well as in Scanned with CamScanner80 Contracts, Specifications, and Engineering Relations . et him apply these principles in 1. the. development of ‘his plans, e mies of his thoughts be ion writing as well as in his rok eae: dud bet aiay seccne thé gee tad is expressions preces, language used clear comprehension of jh, Cee eS” tens tat be deren 0 knpeds ou ideas, facts, opinions, or requi ; readees. Inthe way only can he produce good technical letters, report. rs, and specifications: Phe fundapental principle of expression, either written or spoken, is to secure efficiency in the comprehension of ideas by the person ad. “ dressed with the least possible mental effort. The engineer recognizes that in machinery, simplicity in design and the proper arrangements of parts are necessary for efficiency in power transmission, Complication in Parts, unnecessary transformation, and inconvenient arrangement result in needless loss of energy; all losses in the machinery reduce the amount of energy which can be delivered for useful work, and such losses must therefore be reduced as far as possible, ‘The same principles apply in the use of language. The mental power of the render is to be utilized for the transmission of ideas by the mech- anism of words. The amount of mental energy available for the purpose is limited. With this energy the reader must recognize and interpret the Words used, arrange and combine the images suggested, and finally must realize the thoughts conveyed. If the language is confused, verbose, ot involved, more mental energy is used up in recognizing the words and interpreting them, and less is available for the understanding of the thought which it is desired to convey, All losses in the mental energy of the reader must therefore be reduced to a minimum to secure the best results, Simplicity in language, when efficiency in comprehension, A gest paragraph, and the spoken word i The spoken word is received directly, expression and often witha bond of speaker and the persons addressed. ‘Th while important in all cases and of entation of technical matters, is with the advantage of personal common ‘knowledge between the he literary form of oral expression, Great importance in the formal pres of ess importance when the same matter Is. presented in written or printed forts In the trove cages the personal element is lacking, and the meaning must be drawn wclely from the language used; and everything that cas be dere to make the soe + ind attractive is essential to the best results: The careful choice of words, the accurate use of technical term, correct grammatical construction, logical arrangement of ideas, clear methods of Scanned with CamScannerThe Use of English 81 expression, the presentation of the matter in an attractive manner are all desirable to secure and hold the attention of the reader and to convey the meaning clearly. Poor spelling, improper punctuation, ungrammatical construction, and involved language draw the attention to- subordinate matters and lead the reader to surmise that the conclusions presented may be as erroneous as the form in which they appear. The subject matter should not be sacrificed to the style, but the style should be utilized to develop and illuminate the subject matter. Techni- cal matters may often be dry and, to other than technical men,-unin- teresting and obscure. The careful choice of words simplifies the subject, clarifies the idea, and crystallizes the thought in the mind of the reader. ‘The careful selection of expressions and the adaptation of a suitable literary style attract and retain the attention, simplify the subject matter, and often interest the reader in subjects of which he would otherwise weary. There are few needs for elaborate rhetorical effort in technical writing; such efforts, even if they do not appear absurd, attract attention to the manner of expression rather than to the matter expressed, and hence are objectionable, The language should be brief and exact and the words should he simple but carefully chosen. The point of view and the extent of knowledge of the reader must determine the degree of simplicity with which the subject must be treated. Unessential and meaningless generali- ties should be eliminated, for they tend toward obscurity and the diver- sion of the reader’s attention from the main subject on which -his thoughts should be concentrated. 38, The Choice of Words. In the writing of any technical report or paper the purpose of which is to precisely describe some engineering situation, it is important that the words which are used properly con- vey the intended meaning from the writer to the reader. A previous sec- tion has emphasized the importance of preparing the material with some particular reader or type of reader in mind. This should also be kept in mind when selecting the individual words to be used. Words have several different meanings, some of these being similar and some being Widely different. They sometimes mean one thing to a person with one type of background and something quite different to another person With a different type of background. For good technical composition the Writer must study the words which he intends to use until thoroughly familiar with their meanings and shades of meaning. English, particularly as used in the United States, is a fluid language which has been derived from many sources, and is in a continual state of change. New words are created, foreign words are assimilated, slang ~ Words attain accepted usage, and old words drop out of general use. Be- Scanned with CamScannerand Engineering Relations 82 Contracts, Specifications, eae ee at eat i ah a a tl language re ome in which itis dificult = tions-and also connotations The fenott the word, and the connotation, actual meanings © lies. Most words haye a umber notations are the oagests OT fae ich the word su : reac some having only @ a Se a ol Toe is usually one meaning Wl on the ¢ ee oka eth have developed from associated ies, such te physical likeness of two objects, the similarity of use, the similarity of Position, or the likeness of action of the things which the word deni Position, or We words have so many meanings, it is usually impose find one precise meaning for a given word unless one knows the conte Fr vhichtit is used. Consider the word “front,” which comes from Ol French and originally meant forehead. It. now has a wide number of usages such as: : Front door of the house Fighting at the front Put up a good front A subversive front organization Out in front of competition The building fronts toward the west While there is a certain similarity between these meanings, n0 0 meaning can be determined if the word is taken out of context. The connotations of words when taken out of context are even more difficult to distinguish because they change from time to time and a? different to different classes of readers. ‘The word “propaganda,” for example, originally meant only the spreading of some teaching ot ides but now it also carries the connotation that the material is false. Tb phrase eet engineer” will carry the connotation of one who 1 luces cost or improves processes to a person in the management grouP bee aoe the production-worker classification it frequently Certain words have precise meanin je plished by legislation, by the adoption of fimdeed deleatas bee Some sn tape Tho weeds caper etceePted usage by somo particular erg np gineer” and “architect” have a definition establish by law in some states; the word “boiler” is defined in the Boller Code wate, precisely. Most English of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers; the word wd whieh 4 aerated weeds ceaatig to civil engineers; and words Uke they were created. tions established at the time st Scanned with CamScanneres The Use of English 83 In spite of the multiple meanings of English words, the language has *- both enough words and a great enough variety of words to express any idea properly if enough attention is paid to correct word usage. If a precise idea must be expressed, the words used and the context in which they are used can be made restrictive enough to convey only that idea. If, on the other hand, a more general idea is to be presented, a word with a broader and more inclusive meaning can be used For example, the clause “metallic parts are to be used” conveys a general idea without specifying any particular metal. If a somewhat more restrictive idea is required, the phrase “ironwork” could be used. This, in turn, can be made more restrictive by using one of the terms “cast iron” or “wrought iron” or “steel.” If it is necessary to specify some particular alloy of steel, this can be done by giving the chemical and physical properties of the alloy or, in most cases, by specifying the standard designation number or code of the appropriate standardizing body. Simplicity in understanding is not always assured by simplicity of language. Because words are used to convey ideas, those words should be chosen which both accurately express the idea to be conveyed and are most familiar to those to whom the words are addressed. The more exact words and phrases are always preferable if the reader can easily under- stand their meaning. 59. The Precise Use of English. The habit of the careless use of words is unfortunately acquired by almost every person with his early use of language. In ordinary communications, the subject discussed is often so familiar and the conditions so well-known to both parties to the conver- sation that the meaning of the language used is often quite obvious, even if the words used do not express the exact meaning which the speaker intends to convey. When, however, the subject is unfamiliar and the ideas to be conveyed are intricate, or involved, the words must be used with precision or the meaning to be conveyed is obscured, distorted, or entirely lost. Outside the legal profession, there is no profession in which careful discrimination in the use of words is so important as in the pro- fession of engineering and the closely related profession of architecture. ‘The minimusn consequence of a lack of precision on the part of the engineer in the use of English will be that his reports are not understood, his papers are misinterpreted, and his’ specifications ‘are not followed according to his intent. Embarrassment is sure to follow. More serious results may occur if lack of clarity results in defective words or dis- agreements which must be settled by court action. The records of courts ate full of cases involving the interpretation of the meaning of words. Lack of precision in engineering ‘communications may ‘be due to any one of a number of causes, A word may be chosen which has a general meaning when a specific idea is to be conveyed, or conversely, & word Scanned with CamScannerf ft t Sa Contracts, Specifications, and Engineering Relations may be used which has a meaning more restrictive ean intended, ty Specification, the phrase “a steel shaft” is very general, and would eq pant 7 7 ‘SAE 4349 mit the choice of a wide variety of ciaterials. The term F Steg} shaft” would restrict the material to one particular type of alloy steq), The correct term to use is the one which meets the requirement of the . Specifications, If any type of steel would. be satisfactory a the shaft, | the “SAE 4340” specification would make the cost unduly igh. Tf the . high-alloy steel is required, the first specification would result in an ui satisfactory part. . There is no substitute for a knowledge of the correct meanings of the words used. If an engineer, in writing a report on a power-plant inspec. tion, used the phrase “forced-draft fan” when he was in’ fact referring to an induced-draft fan, his ignorance would be obvious. The student Publication of an engineering college, however, published an article de- scribing the public-address system which had been installed at the stadium and referred to the speakers as “twelve giant microphones.” The editor was much embarrassed on learning his error, Another common difficulty arises in specifying the quantities of various materials which are required for various Projects. Either the quantity should be specified in terms of units with precise, well-defined measure, ment standards, or the method of measurement should be clearly set forth. In general, measurement by weight is easy and precise while measurement: by volume must be done in accord with some specified Procedure if uniform results are to be obtained. The quantity of earth required to make a fill on a highway right-of-way, for example, might * be specified in terms of cubic yards, This would not be a complete specification, however, unless the measurement of quantity was specified to be made by (1) cross-sectional survey of volume removed from bor- row pit, (2) truck or earth-mover count having fixed volume: per in- dividual unit, or (3) final cross-sectional survey of compacted fill. Each method of measurement would result in a different volume: of material for the completed fill because of the different densities of material under each condition. 5-10. Punctuation and the Arrangement of Words in a Sentence. It is obvious that the meaning of an expression or sentence largely con: trolled by the arrangement of words and by the emphasis that is given in their oral expression. In writing, the emphasis to be observed must be, implied by the arrangement or indicated by Punctuation; An accurate understanding of the meaning of the Janguage used can’ therefore be assured only by care in the selection of words and in the arrangement or by punctuation or both. There is perhaps a tendency at the present time ‘to eliminate all punctuation that is not essential to determine the meaning of a sentence, and in many cases with the Proper arrangement.’ Scanned with CamScannerThe Use of English 85 of words the meaning will remain clear without punctuation. This tendency often results in the omission of punctuation.where it is needed to give the meaning which it is desired to convey. When punctuation is omitted, though needed in order to assure the proper meaning of the sentence, it must be assumed by the reader, and may consequently be im- properly assumed. A recent heading of a newspaper article appeared without punctuation as follows: Indiana permits pure food only at fairs. In this sentence the meaning must be supplied by an assumption of the punctuation, and will be quite different if the comma is applied after or before the word “only.” Indiana permits pure food only, at fairs. Indiana permits pure food, only at fairs. The true meaning without punctuation would be assured by the better arrangement of the words: Indiana permits only pure food at fairs. Only a proper arrangement of the words,or proper punctuation will make clear the meaning of this sentence. Tn many cases the meaning of a sentence will be entirely changed by the change in punctuation or by its assumption in an unpunctuated sentence, as for example: Woman, without her, man would be a savage. Woman without her man, would be a savage. A rearrangement and slight change in the wording would in this case assure an accurate understanding of the meaning to be conveyed with- out punctuation, as for example: Man would be a savage without woman, or Man without woman would be a savage. It is not our purpose to discuss the principles of punctuation or its customary use, but only to call attention to the necessity of correct appli- cation, to the confusion resulting from its improper use, and to the uncer- tainties resulting from its omission. LL. The Vocabulary. It is important that the engineer acquire a tech- nical vocabulary and also a knowledge of the language used in the busi- ness in which he is employed or with which he may be associated. Other- wise he will not be able to understand technical or trade details or give instructions and’ explanations intelligently., Such information is also necessary in the preparation of specifications and technical reports and Papers for technical readers. Scientific and technical terms and the fa- Scanned with CamScanner86 Contracts, Specifications, amd Engineering Helations imiliar and special trade terms and trade Moca ae iat expla covering materials, operation, and details i oe solutely necessary for reasonable facility In buses: bein “ Bven reasonably simple specifications are nee Tonip els to those who have not acquired the language 0 oe e lc ne cially true when the trade language includes a number of " rds to Which, have been attached special meanings and whon names of 1 city, region, or person are used to specify a given iter or proce athor than the usy of descriptive words or phrases, To illustrate, a specification for sheg rmotal work might read in parts ‘All ducts shall be fabricated of 24 U.S. Std. gage galvanized steel sheots or 92 B, & S. alloy 98 aluminum, All seams shall be Pittsburg lock. AM transverse joints shall be 1 inch pocket or 1 inch bar slips. All ducts shall be cross broken, ‘The section of the specification quoted is completely clear to any familiar with the sheet-metal business but is almost completely meaning. Jess to one with no knowledge of that business, The best method of acquiring a technical vocabulary is the direct study of the words and torms used in any special vocation or business when such information is available. The reading of the various technical Papers and the proceedings of the various societies which cover or in- clude the special subject in which information is desired will often furnish valuable additions to the vocabulary. The use of standard dic- tionaries is of little value in this study, as the definitions given are too general. Some valuable work is being done by various technical socicties in the definition of technical terms and the establishment of uniform Practice, and this work should be closely followed. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 4, OF what value, if ’ 4s an outline in th technical reports! x What the profane ayo of writng te ao ‘oot 8 Wha Preferred style of writing for technical ? * Wepat isthe moaning of the “denotation” of a wordt Po 8. Wyn isthe meaning of the “connotation’ of w oecaP ; es Joby rete Zetltive defition of two terial: ight be eee = materials which might 10. Write a preciso 4 referred to by the general teen o sefnition of two materials which might Scanned with CamScanner—— The Use of English 87 11. Write a precise restrictive definition of two materials which might be referred to by the general term “stainless steel,” 12, Write a precise restrictive definition for three materials which might be referred to by the general term “galvanized iron.” 18. Write a precise restrictive definition for three materials which might be referred to by the general term “rock: 14. Write a precise restrictive definition for two systems which might be referred to by the general term “air-conditioning” systems. 15, In architecture, what is the difference between the words “windows” and “fenestration”? 16. What is the difference in the meaning of the words “dynamo,” “gen- erator,” and “alternator,” when used in electrical engineering? 17. Why is the precise use of words more important in technical writing than in general writing? ‘ Scanned with CamScanner