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Subject:RE: Research Request From:kimber_miller -at- acs-inc -dot- com To:<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 21 Jan 2000 10:52:20 -0600
By "English," I would generally assume that the original poster intended to
reference the "Liberal Arts" curriculum, not a specific language. By
'Science'," I believe the original poster
had in mind "the Sciences" and not one in particular. The original poster wants
to know about the communication tension that can exist between the MA and MS,
for instance. That tension exists in every debate as to whether the TW degree
ought to be part of the English or Engineering departments.
The original poster could explore the differing ways of communication that
people with different training have learned.
There has been talk in some circles that the collegiate disciplines like Liberal
Arts, the Sciences, Engineering (computer and otherwise), Agriculture, and
Business impart a communication style and values system to students that differs
from the other disciplines.
"Technical communication" in some people's views, could be an oxymoronic phrase,
seeming to join to "opposing" concepts. But, as we all know, those of us who
communicate technically bridge between the Liberal Arts discipline and the
discipline of whatever technology in which we work.
There are scads of tools and treatises written on personal
communication/learning/information processing methods; everything from
personality "tests" to "annegrams" (did I spell that right?). It would be
interesting if the research could distinguish that certain disciplines and
courses of studies influenced the communication styles of their participants.
I began my professional life with two Liberal Arts degrees. I have had to learn
to "think like an EE" in order to successfully work with the development teams
I've been on. I believe that my courses of study prepared me to be flexible in
the way I communicate. Of course, had I not been communicative in the first
place, I wouldn't have chosen the major I did. (nature v. nurture again). BUT,
my experience has shown me that it is easier for me to learn to communicate with
the MS-degreed person in "their language", using their 'paradigms' than it is
for the MS-degree person to learn to communicate in "my language." I've found
that MBA people are more adept at getting my points. Perhaps their advanced
degree training and experience broadens them in a way that the undergrad degree
did not. I dunno. But I've seen it.
Ok, this is interesting, but back to what they pay me for....
--Kimber
Kimber Miller
kimber_miller -at- acs-inc -dot- com
Affiliated Computer Services
Dallas, Texas
214.887.7408
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-----Original Message-----
From: Curt Mummert <CMummert -at- pharmanet-cro -dot- com>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2000 9:01 AM
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Cc: ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
Subject: RE: Research Request
Just English? How about Russian, German, French etc? Language conveys
information, whether literary or technical. My audiences care less about
the inside stuff that makes the data base usable, they just need to know how
to use it. They learn that by words, in any language.
