The latest issue is the result of three years of rigorous work by the ASD Simplified Technical English Maintenance Group (STEMG), with vital contributions from national and multi-country Support Teams (STEST). This update, precisely delivered according to schedule, reflects STEMG’s ongoing commitment to clarity and safety, and the STE’s alignment with international standards.
The STEMG is responsible for maintaining ASD-STE100, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in technical communication. Comprising industry experts and linguistic specialists, the STEMG collaborates closely with its Support Teams, which are also made up of experts with diverse backgrounds in linguistics, translation, terminology, engineering, and computer science. These teams provide critical feedback and validation at a national and multi-country level. In preparation for the release of Issue 9, the STEMG conducted six dedicated in-person meetings, meticulously analyzing 160 open items and change forms, eleven of them specific to meta-terminology updates. This work method and collaborative process ensured that the latest issue meets the needs of technical authors (and, of course, the end users of the documentation itself) across various industries.
From specification to standard
Historically, ASD-STE100 evolved from the guide AECMA Simplified English (Issue 1, 1980) to a specification (up to Issue 8, 2021) and now, with Issue 9, it has transitioned into an international standard. This change is not just a reclassification, but an essential step that reinforces the global applicability of STE. To reflect this, the official document title now aligns with its registered trademark: "ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English”. Additionally, the subtitle has been updated to "Standard for Technical Documentation," replacing the previous term "specification" to reflect a more applicable designation. In standardization terminology, a specification regulates individual projects, while a standard establishes universal rules, making this a logical and necessary transition for STE.
While originally developed for the aerospace and defense industry, STE is increasingly applied in other sectors, including railway, medical, automotive, and renewable energy industries. Organizations in these fields recognize the benefits of a controlled natural language to improve documentation quality, enhance safety, and facilitate global communication. The structured approach of STE, with its core focus on reducing human-factor risks by removing ambiguity from texts (especially for non-native English readers), helps to ensure technical texts are consistent, accurate, and accessible, making it an invaluable tool beyond its original domain.
ASD-STE100 is structured into two parts: the writing rules and the dictionary. The writing rules give strict guidelines for grammar, style, and sentence structure. These rules help writers produce content that is easy to understand for global audiences, including non-native English speakers. The controlled dictionary consists of approved words that can be used in STE-compliant documentation, along with their definitions and specific usage examples. It also includes a list of words that are not approved, with recommended alternatives. The dictionary ensures consistency by standardizing terminology across different industries, preventing confusion and improving readability in technical communication.
Major changes in Issue 9
While no new rules have been introduced, 31 of the 53 existing rules have been refined for improved clarity. The dictionary has undergone substantial revisions, with 555 entries – including words, definitions, and examples – updated to ensure linguistic accuracy and relevance across industries. A key focus of this release has been a comprehensive meta-terminology review, aimed at modernizing legacy classifications and improving usability for technical authors.
Terminology and meta-terminology review
One of the most significant updates in Issue 9 is the reclassification of technical nouns and technical verbs. This effort aligns ASD-STE100 with ISO 1087-1:2019, ensuring consistency with international terminological frameworks. The terms "technical name" and "technical verb” used in previous editions have been replaced with "technical noun" and "technical verb (term)," enhancing clarity for technical authors and translators who may not have a formal linguistic background.
Additionally, subject field classifications have been refined to facilitate better integration of new terminology. New categories, such as "Law and regulations" and "Animals, plants, and other life forms", have been introduced under Rule 1.5, while similar restructuring has been applied to the categorization of technical verbs under Rule 1.12.
User-centric approach
A major goal of the review was to improve usability for technical writers by ensuring that terminology remains clear, practical, and accessible. Acknowledging the fact that most technical authors are not necessarily linguists or academics, the STEMG prioritized simplicity while maintaining terminological precision. One key decision was to streamline dictionary entries by maintaining the column designation "word" instead of using more complex lexicographic terminology, thus reinforcing STE’s role as a practical tool for professionals in the field. During STEMG meetings, one of the most challenging and thought-provoking aspects of the Issue 9 update was striking the right balance between conforming to correct meta-terminology and keeping the standard practical and user-centric. Ensuring alignment with international linguistic frameworks, such as ISO 1087-1:2019, was necessary to enhance clarity and consistency, but overly technical meta-terminology risked alienating technical authors, the primary users of STE. Discussions often revolved around how much linguistic accuracy was necessary without making the terminology overly complex or difficult to apply. The goal was always to maintain the core mission of STE – helping authors produce documentation that is clear, unambiguous, and accessible to end-users. Defining technical verbs, in particular, proved challenging, as the working group had to balance linguistic accuracy with readability and comprehensibility, ensuring that the guidance remained straightforward for authors who may not have formal linguistic training. The result of these debates was a practical, yet well-structured update that maintains STE’s legacy of clarity and usability while ensuring terminological alignment with modern standards.
Future directions: AI and collaborative tools
Looking ahead, the STEMG and STEST task teams are exploring the status of Artificial Intelligence applications for enhancing STE compliance checks, real-time feedback mechanisms, and automated terminology updates. Collaboration with university research projects aims to monitor AI-driven tools that streamline technical documentation processes, ensuring wider accessibility and interoperability.
Issue 9 of ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English marks a milestone, with its transformation from a specification to a global standard, reinforcing its role in technical documentation across industries. The extensive meta-terminology updates, subject field restructuring, and alignment with international standards ensure that STE remains a modern, inclusive, and practical tool for technical authors. With an increasing focus on AI, interoperability, and digital transformation, STE is well-positioned to continue evolving in the era of smart documentation and Natural Language Processing.
Request your free copy: Technical authors and professionals interested in ASD-STE100 Issue 9 can request a free official copy through the ASD STEMG website at www.asd-ste100.org. The website also provides information on certified training opportunities.