Keywords
Technical communication in france, survey of french technical communicators, french perspective on technical writing, international technical documentation, intercultural collaboration strategies, cultural studies, globalization, localization, translation, hall's high context and low context cultures, hofstede's individualism versus collectivism dimension
Abstract
This thesis explores the cultural considerations American technical communicators must address when working with French colleagues and when creating technical documentation for French audiences. A review of the literature on intercultural communication theory was conducted, along with a review of the limited research on technical communication in France and the needs of French audiences. A qualitative online survey of French technical communicators was also conducted. Through this survey, French technical communicators reported on their intercultural beliefs, experiences, and practices, and information, language, and cultural needs. Survey responses were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Two main themes were developed as a result of this analysis: the importance of adapting content to French audiences, and the cultural differences between French and American information needs and communication styles. Survey findings are combined with theoretical and practical literature to offer American technical communicators guidance for successful intercultural interactions. This thesis concludes with suggestions for future practice and research in intercultural technical communication.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2013
Semester
Summer
Advisor
Flammia, Madelyn
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Humanities
Department
English
Degree Program
English; Technical Communications
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0004944
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004944
Language
English
Release Date
August 2013
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
Subjects
Arts and Humanities -- Dissertations, Academic, Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Humanities
STARS Citation
Tallman, Nicole, "Intercultural Communication In The Global Age: Lessons Learned From French Technical Communicators" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2697.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2697