Controlled English

Looking for Aerospace and Defense (STE), see our Simplified Technical English page.
Click to see CE example Before and After

 Controlled English (CE) Description

The SMART Controlled English dictionary is adapted from the successful Simplified Technical English program in the aerospace and defense industries. SMART linguists created a common 1,200-word core vocabulary and a set of technical dictionaries for non-aerospace products. The objective of Controlled English is to accurately describe maintenance procedures in clear, concise, Technical English. The SMART team has successfully applied Controlled English to products as small as silicon chips to as large as 290-ton autonomous mining machines.


Telecommunications and SATCOM - Network Support

Telecoms

The SMART team developed Nortel Standard English (NSE) to simplify complex Nortel telecommunications procedures. NSE lets AI Agents use Natural Language Processing prompts to automate telephony. The MAXit Checker checks for grammar, syntax, style, .xml format and NSE compliance.



Semiconductor Procedural Documentation - Simplified

Semiconductor Documentation

Client ASML uses Controlled English and a standardized semiconductor vocabulary to simplify TwinScan technical manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in .xml format for wafer fabrication labs.
The MAXit Checker checks for grammar, syntax, style and Controlled English.



Shipbuilding - Maritime Technical Publications

Marine

Controlled English and our standardized shipbuilding dictionary is ideal to write simplified Naval and Maritime technical publications. The MAXit Checker checks for grammar, syntax, style and compliance to S1000D and .xml formats.


Conventional and Electric Vehicles - Safety & Service

Automobiles Controlled English simplifies terminology for Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) technical publications to make diagnostics and service procedures easier to understand. The new Right to Repair laws require simplified repair and parts instructions. The MAXit Checker checks compliance standards for robotaxis.


Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals - FDA Compliance

Medical Devices

Our Controlled English has helped clients Agilent, Abbott, Vantive (Baxter), Coherent and others to simplify medical device documentation for compliance to FDA regulations. Fact: 20% of fatal medical errors are caused by errors in documentation. The MAXit Checker checks rules, style, format and Controlled English vocabulary.



Oil and Gas - Operations and Safety

Medical Devices

The SMART team adapted STE for the oil and gas industry. The MAXit Checker uses AI to mitigate risk on rigs and prevent human error and catastrophic accidents caused by poor instructions. The industry terminology comes from companies like BP, SLB, Shell Oil, ExxonMobil. The MAXit Checker checks grammar, style and HSE compliance.




Mining Machinery and Safety Procedures - HSE

Mining The SMART team adapted STE for Mining Equipment and Minerals Processing at PlugPower (H2), Liebherr, Komatsu and FLSmidth (minerals). FACT: Controlled English is easy to translate by AI ChatGPT Translate. The MAXit Checker checks grammar, style and safety compliance.



 Computer-aided Language Translation

Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence include ChatGPT Translate, that can generate accurate translations from Controlled English input. The translations solve the global shortage of technicians through bilingual materials for skills training. Some Human-in-the-Loop editors are needed for style.
The MAXit Checker checks for semantic precision required for robotic program instructions.

 Digital Transformation

CE Bannner The MAXit Checker is a digital transformation tool linked to Adobe (FrameMaker), Microsoft (Word), IBM (WatsonX, DOORS), Siemens (Teamcenter), PTC (Arbortext), Nvidia and APIs.

Text Mining The use of controlled vocabularies is proven for Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs), distributed to mobile devices.

The MAXit Checker helps writers stay within the Controlled English guidelines. The AI software uses 19,000+ AI rules or inferences to suggest how to simplify the text.


MAXit version for Controlled English

Click a version to download or view (.pdf) Data Sheet.

Starter Kit The MAXit Starter Kit is ideal for proof of concept. The starter kit includes a MAXit license, the core Controlled English dictionary and a technical dictionary from the Smart library. The dictionaries are easy to customize and scale for production.

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Benefits of Controlled English

  • Creates technical information that is easy to read, understand and translate.
  • Allows Limited English Proficiency readability.
  • Easy to adapt to other industries or services.
  • Uses a small vocabulary for faster training.
  • Identifies key words to avoid product liability.
  • Promotes short sentences for easier comprehension and readability.
  • Creates text ready for machine translation.
  • Removes nice-to-know and uses need-to-know.
  • Removes jargon, idioms and engineering-ese.
  • Standardizes engineering nomenclature.
  • Enforces a consistent global style and standard across all company documents.
  • Uses simplified grammar, syntax and style.
  • Uses ONE WORD-ONE MEANING concept.
  • Enforces clear, legally defensible warning labels.
  • Promotes clear language for critical instructions.
  • Recognizes trademarks and proper nouns.
  • Improves readability on mobile devices.
  • Proven for communications in 149 countries.
  • Encourages clear, concise, easy-to-read English.