TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Sie/hir From:Ellen Adams <ellena -at- TOLSTOY -dot- SC -dot- TI -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 21 Nov 1994 13:44:20 CST
Laurie Rubin asked: <<Does anyone remember the "universal language" idea that
was being tossed around
as becoming the "international language"? I think there was talk about it in
the 1970s. The language even had a somewhat complicated name that has alluded
me. Well, I don't think that language got off the preliminary think tank
phase!>>
The language to which Laurie refers is Esperanto, which Webster's defines as:
An artificial international language based as far as possible on words
common to the chief European languages.
And, she's right. It didn't really catch on.
She also makes a good point. Use "you" in documentation. It's fairly universal.
Ellen Adams
Houston, TX
ellena -at- tolstoy -dot- sc -dot- ti -dot- com