What is Controlled English?
Controlled English is a limited technical vocabulary and a set of AI rules for grammar, syntax and style.
The simplification process removes ambiguity, jargon, idioms, wrong meaning and enforces a standardized language. The objective of CE is to avoid preventable human error. A good example is the 2024 CrowdStrike computer outage.
Procedures written in a Controlled English (CE) are accurate, clear, concise and easy to understand.
CE Dictionary Development
The SMART AI engineers use the SMART Text Miner and to discover terminology. An average Controlled English dictionary is approximately 1,200 core words. Special product terminology is added for a total of 5,500 to 8,500 terms. The SMART team can build a custom Controlled English dictionary in 30 days.
Our SMART AI Team
SMART Communications, New York has a team of AI linguists, data scientists, programmers and consultants who have helped many companies create a Controlled English program. We have 20+ years of experience in the design of technical documentation.
The SMART Team has developed CE for products including a semiconductor machine at ASML (Netherlands) and a giant underground mining machine (Japan and USA).
The SMART MAXit Checker
The MAXit Checker is an AI-driven grammar and syntax checker that uses approximately 19,000 Artificial Intelligence (AI) rules and Natural Language Processing (NLP). The software is a plug-in for Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Word and PTC Arbortext Editor. Click here for a description of the MAXit functions.
SMART offers a Starter Kit is ideal for proof-of-concept and is easy to expand. Click for information.
Terminology Management
The SMART Lexicon Manager is an easy-to-use software tool that allows users to manage terminology and Controlled English dictionaries for collaborative authoring. For small projects, SMART offers a Dictionary Service Pack (DSP). New terms are sent by email and the updated dictionaries are returned in 24 hours.
Technical Writer Training Classes
The participants use the MAXit Checker to learn how to write Controlled English in convenient sessions over three days. Our instructors have many years of experience in the use of Controlled English.
We offer convenient online TEAMS Training for two to five writers. For larger groups, we offer onsite classes. Send an email for costs and course outline.
To write PLAIN ENGLISH for Citizen Services, visit Plain English