What Is Technical English and Why Engineers Need It

If you’re an engineer who works internationally, you’ve probably run into this problem:

You understand your work. You know your process, your tools, your specs.
But the second you have to explain all that in English? Things slow down. You hesitate. You search for words. You second-guess every sentence.

And yet, most courses just teach you more grammar or more vocabulary, which still doesn’t help you explain what you do clearly and confidently.

That’s where Technical English comes in. And no, it’s not just about learning fancy terminology. Let’s break down what it really means, how it’s used in different industries, and how it can make your job easier.

What Is Technical English (Really)?

Let’s clear something up right away: there isn’t one version of Technical English.

The “tech English” spoken by a construction site manager is wildly different from that used by an IT specialist. And most engineers I work with think Technical English means memorizing long lists of technical words from their own field.

Spoiler: that’s not the goal. I’m not a walking dictionary, and you don’t need to be either.

Technical English often refers to the specialized language professionals use to communicate with each other — language that people outside that profession wouldn’t necessarily use or understand. By that definition, Business English, Medical English, and even Legal English can contain forms of Technical English.

There have been countless studies trying to define and categorize what exactly Technical English is (see the reference list at the end).

I recently had a great conversation with Dr Rachel Wolford, a friend and colleague who helps STEM researchers in the US upgrade their writing to get published. She’s a native English speaker working with other native speakers. Her definition of Technical English is very different from what my non-native English-speaking clients in Europe need to manage international engineering projects.

So if someone tells you they teach “Technical English,” it’s worth asking — what exactly do they mean?

STE: The Most Controlled Kind of Technical English

Ever heard of STE?

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE) is a highly controlled version of English that was developed in the early 1980s (originally called AECMA Simplified English). It was created to help non-native English speakers write and understand technical manuals more easily and without confusion.

At first, it was used in commercial aviation. Later, it became a requirement in defense projects, including those involving land and sea vehicles. Today, many maintenance manuals are still written in STE.

In the latest edition of the STE specifications (version 8, published in April 2021), the following definition is given:
ASD Simplified Technical English (STE) is an international specification for preparing technical documentation in a controlled language. STE has two parts: a set of writing rules (part 1) and a controlled dictionary (part 2). The writing rules are about grammar and style. The dictionary gives the general words that a writer can use.

As you see, it is a written, not a spoken language. STE simplifies the complex grammar and vocabulary of standard English. It replaces complicated terminology with simpler synonyms. This makes technical documents easier to read and understand, especially for non-native speakers.

Difference between Standard English and Technical English

Technical English (used by non-native speakers), which engineers use to work on their international projects, is a subgroup of Business English. It is a written and a spoken language. We borrow some of those strict STE rules and use them to make our lives easier. But we do not have to follow those rules religiously.

Some of the key rules:

 

• Do not use phrasal verbs (for example, say “start” instead of “turn on”)

• Use only the three simple tenses: past, present, and future

• Keep sentence length under 20–25 words

• Avoid using passive voice if possible

• Use articles like “a” and “the” wherever they are needed

• Use separate sentences or bullet points for sequential steps rather than one long sentence.

Benefits of STE

When using Simplified Technical English instead of ‘regular’ English, a text typically shrinks by 20%. It is more repetitive and more clearly structured. For technical translations, such as manuals or reports, this can lower translation costs and reduce errors.

For users, especially non-native English speakers, STE reduces uncertainty and makes the documentation easier to understand. Installation and maintenance become more reliable and predictable, and mistakes are less likely.

Overview of benefits:

 

• clear structure

• lower translation costs

• easier to understand

• increased safety

• fewer mistakes and errors

Who needs the ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE)?

If you are an engineer and you have never heard of Simplified Technical English before, chances are you do not need to learn it. Regular ‘Technical English’ as a subgroup of Business English is just fine!

STE is mandated in the aviation industry and in the military. But its basic rules can be helpful in any international project where teams need to avoid misunderstandings caused by language differences.

STE helps engineers communicate more clearly and effectively. It also helps prevent serious problems that can happen when people don’t fully understand instructions or explanations.

So the next time someone says they teach “Technical English,” ask them what they really mean. That’s exactly why I call what I do English for Engineers.

Want to hear more about how engineers use Technical English in real projects?
I talk about this in the English for Engineers podcast — available on all major platforms.

Understanding technical concepts isn’t the problem — explaining them in English is.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain your ideas in a meeting or felt frustrated that your English doesn’t reflect your experience, you’re not alone.

The truth is, mastering Technical English isn’t about learning more difficult words. It’s about learning how to communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently — without overthinking every sentence.

That’s exactly what we focus on in the Technical English Course for Engineers, a practical, no-fluff program built by an engineer (me!) to help you:

 

• Talk about your projects without translating everything in your head

• Explain technical details so clients and colleagues actually understand you

• Lead international meetings without feeling behind or nervous

Ready to stop overthinking and start speaking with confidence?
Join the next round of the Technical English Course — because your English should reflect your engineering skills.