Controlled Language for Multilingual Document Production: Experience with Caterpillar Technical English 1
Christine K. Kamprath, Eric Adolphson, Teruko Mitamura, Eric Nyberg · 1998
This paper describes the characteristics of CTE, the effort required to develop CTE and the benefits observed so far, what we learned from the development process, remaining challenges, and plans for the future. 2. A Precursor to CTE: Caterpillar Fundamental English CTE was not the first controlled English deployed at Caterpillar. In the 1970's, Caterpillar utilized a different controlled English approach for technical authoring and international distribution of documentation. This approach to writing was called Caterpillar Fundamental English (CFE), and involved the use of an extremely limited vocabulary and grammar. CFE was intended as a form of English as a Second Language for non-English speakers, who would be able to read the service manuals written in CFE after some basic training. This approach was intended to eliminate the need to translate service manuals. CFE was designed around the basic English sentence patterns that could be learned in