Prototype term checker for ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English, from Bangor University

For the commercial version of the term checker for ASD-STE100, refer to www.simplified-english.co.uk.

In 2011, Language Technologies Unit, Bangor University developed a prototype term checker for ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English, issue 2. Funding for the project was from an Innovation Voucher.

The prototype term checker helps technical writers to make sure that text conforms to the specification. The term checker identifies possible errors in text. Different colours show different types of possible error. A technical writer can put the pointer over highlighted text, and select alternative text from the list:

Different colours show different problems

Alternatively, the technical writer can correct errors manually.

ASD-STE100 rules for the term checker

The term checker highlights the following types of text:

A keyword that is not approved. For example, do not use the noun aeroplane. Use aircraft.
A past participle of a verb with a form of the verb have (Rule 3.4). For example, do not use has adjusted. Use adjusted.
A past participle of a verb with a helping verb (Rule 3.5). For example, do not use will be adjusted. Use will adjust or adjusts.
The verb make sure and a subordinate clause that does not use the word that to introduce the clause (General Recommendations).
A semicolon (;) (Rule 8.11).
A keyword that possibly is misused (Rule 1.2, Rule 1.3, Rule 9.3). For example, oil is approved as a Technical Name, but not as a verb.
A combination of keywords that possibly means something different from the defined meaning of each keyword (Rule 9.2 and Rule 9.3). For example, do not use the verb put out. Use extinguish.
A word that the term checker does not identify. For example, the term checker does not 'know' the word misspelled

This term checker uses some 1-word Technical Names that are referenced in ASD-STE100. For a list of the Technical Names in this term checker, refer to ste2-technical-names.txt.

This term checker does not give correct results with 2-word Technical Names.