Technical Writing (in engineering fields) and English

[Femme_physics]

Hi folks!

I've considered a career as a technical writer for the mechatronics/electronics fields for a while now (yes I have engineering education), but I'm wondering if I'd want to work in a European country like Netherlands, Germany...do they need technical writers in English?
Or, do they just employ technical writers in their native languages and get an "English technical translator" later?

I'm really curious about what are the practices in this field. If I'm German and have a firm in Germany, why would I want an English tech writer to wrap up all my material in a nice batch, instead of a German one? What's the logic behind it? I can just pay off a translator later.

Also -- In Israel for example, only 15% of the jobs offered for technical writers in English require that the candidates be fluent in Hebrew as well. Is it about the same in other countries?

 

[chiro]

Hey Femme_physics.

While I can't answer your question in any detail, I would remind you that the business language of the world is English and this has a lot of impact on who uses the language and for what purpose.

 

[Femme_physics]

Hi chrio.

While I can't answer your question in any detail, I would remind you that the business language of the world is English and this has a lot of impact on who uses the language and for what purpose.

True...true. I'd imagine that English has some sort of upmarket value in this industry...
Well then, provided those European companies don't require me to be native in their country language/s (at least not all of them), I'm rather inspired about giving it a shot.

Still if anyone has anything more to add about this topic, would love to read it.

 

[I like Serena]

In the Netherlands engineers are mostly assumed to be fluent in English.
Furthermore, most companies will accept anyone that is fluent in English, regardless of whether they are fluent in Dutch.

 

[Matrix0]

I can understand your curiosity about the practices in technical writing in different countries and the need for technical writers who are proficient in English. In my experience, technical writing is a crucial aspect of the engineering field, as it allows for clear communication and documentation of complex ideas and processes. In today's globalized world, English has become the lingua franca in many industries, including engineering. Therefore, there is a high demand for technical writers who are proficient in English, even in countries where English is not the native language.

In countries like the Netherlands and Germany, which have a strong presence in the engineering industry, there is a need for technical writers who can write in English to cater to a global audience. While it is true that companies can hire a translator to convert their technical documents into English, it is often more efficient and cost-effective to have a technical writer who is proficient in both the engineering concepts and the English language. This ensures accuracy and consistency in the technical documentation.

Furthermore, having a technical writer who is proficient in English can also open up opportunities for the company to expand their market internationally. With English being the language of business and science, having well-written technical documents in English can give a company a competitive edge in the global market.

Regarding the requirement for fluency in the native language, it may vary from country to country. In some countries, like Israel, fluency in the native language may not be a requirement, while in others it may be essential. However, having a basic understanding of the native language can be beneficial for a technical writer, as it allows for better understanding of the engineering concepts and communication with the team.

In conclusion, technical writing in English is a valuable skill in the engineering field, and there is a high demand for it in various countries. Having a technical writer who is proficient in both engineering concepts and the English language can bring numerous advantages to a company, including clear communication, global market expansion, and cost-effectiveness.