Psychology: Cognitive Dissonance and Passive Voice

Technical English Features

• Extensive use of passive voice to shift focus from the doer of an action to the result or effect
  • Examples: "are caused by", "is seen"

Passive-Like Verbs

• Verbs that are not agents of the action, e.g., "belong to", "has been"
  • Examples:
    • "The software is designed to perform automatic updates"
    • "The process was initiated to streamline the manufacturing workflow"

Cause-and-Effect Formulations

• Use of words like "consequently", "hence", and "thus" to signal cause-and-effect relationships
  • Examples:
    • "Adding salt to water results in faster boiling"
    • "By implementing energy-efficient technologies, power consumption is reduced, and consequently, operational costs are lowered"

Economy, Precision, and Clarity

• Demands concise and precise language, clear use of cohesion markers, and economy of expression
  • Examples:
    • "Press 'Start' to begin"
    • "Follow the instructions for easy setup"

Nominalization

• Turning verbs or adjectives into nouns for easier writing and maintaining impersonality
  • Examples:
    • "The analysis of the data resulted in the identification of significant patterns"
    • "The development of new software required extensive testing and validation"

Compound Nouns

• Combining two or more words to create a single term
  • Examples:
    • "sonnei dysentery"
    • "hand basins"
    • "bleeding points"

Standardization

• Adhering to standardized terminology and conventions within specific fields
  • Ensures professionals in the same field can understand each other easily

Specialized Vocabulary

• Using unique words and phrases unique to particular industries, e.g., "genetic sequencing" in biology or "bytecode" in computer programming

Technical English Usage

• User manuals: provide clear, step-by-step instructions
• Scientific research papers: maintain an impersonal tone, focusing on data and results
• Computer programming guides: offer instructions on coding practices and software development
• Impersonal Style: maintaining an objective tone, focusing on factual information