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World of Learning
Technical Writing
Translating
Recreation
Of Great Men's Thoughts

World of Learning
The world of learning—a virtual space encompassing higher education and related academic institutions throughout the world—is where I came from as a professional. Of course that leaves its imprint on me as a technical writer. There I've gained vast and strong experience in writing documentation for training in computer technology and software usage. Although I am outside the world of learning already for some time I am sure there is still a place there for my favorite method of teach-by-examples. The latter is illustrated by some excerpts from my training courses on C/C++ programming.
The knowledge and experience acquired in the world of learning as nothing else can ensure the success of technical writing.
What Does a Technical Writer Actually Do?
 
Unlike most people, a technical writer is commonly impelled to write. Besides that he or she is expected to have thorough knowledge and some experience in technical information to be documented. These are two key fundamentals for successful writing of technical documentation.
A technical writer is like a translator. He or she takes technical information—whether on paper or in the subject matter expert’s head—and translates it into terms that are meaningful to the intended audience. Different audiences may require a different interpretation of the same information. The writer is also required to grasping what information is important for the reader and to writing clearly and consistently.
 
About Translating
 
American linguist Rudolf Flesch writes that "translating is the ideal form of intellectual exercise. Whenever we translate, we are forced to abandon the mental patterns we are used to and get to hang of others completely alien to our thinking. There is nothing quite like it to gain mental flexibility, which is practically the main ingredient of clear thinking. If foreign languages did not exist, we should have to invent them as a training device for our minds." (New Guide To Better Writing)
 
On Recreation
 
Nature, as T.H. Huxley has told us, never overlooks a mistake or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance. To disregard the need of recreation for both the human body and mind is to hinder the nature summons. It's commonplace that walking is a kind of recreation. As a passionate walker for exercise, I am sure that the joy of walking is not only a legitimate road to better health but also both a pleasure and a way of recreation for the walker's mind. At least such is the case for those of us to whom walking is an imperative that comes from inside and not from our doctor. Jean-Jacques Rousseau summed up his own love of perambulation in the Confessions: "I can only meditate when I am walking. When I stop, I cease to think; my mind only works with my legs."
 
Of Great Men's Thoughts
 

According to Isaac Disraeli's adage, “the wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by quotations”.


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